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Source: https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260426/n...infected-in-ratnapura-and-colombo-639966.html
Rat fever risks rise with rains; hundreds infected in Ratnapura and Colombo
By Sajeniya Sathanandan
Health professionals are urging precautions to avoid infection with leptospirosis (Rat fever), as it has the potential to cause an outbreak in the months ahead.
Ratnapura has the highest percentage at 12.67%, but other provinces can also be affected because of humidity and the rainy season.
Outbreaks can be triggered by monsoonal rains, floods, paddy cultivation and harvesting. Nearly 200 deaths occur every year, says Dr Thushani Dabrera, consultant community physician at the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit.
Paddy farmers are also vulnerable to Rat fever
The highest number of 326 cases has been detected in the Ratnapura District, followed by the Galle district (201 cases) and the Gampaha district (188 cases). The Colombo district has recorded 118 cases.
Dr Dabrera said that so far for this year—up to April 24—a total of 2,572 leptospirosis cases have been reported...
Rat fever risks rise with rains; hundreds infected in Ratnapura and Colombo
By Sajeniya Sathanandan
Health professionals are urging precautions to avoid infection with leptospirosis (Rat fever), as it has the potential to cause an outbreak in the months ahead.
Ratnapura has the highest percentage at 12.67%, but other provinces can also be affected because of humidity and the rainy season.
Outbreaks can be triggered by monsoonal rains, floods, paddy cultivation and harvesting. Nearly 200 deaths occur every year, says Dr Thushani Dabrera, consultant community physician at the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit.
Paddy farmers are also vulnerable to Rat fever
The highest number of 326 cases has been detected in the Ratnapura District, followed by the Galle district (201 cases) and the Gampaha district (188 cases). The Colombo district has recorded 118 cases.
Dr Dabrera said that so far for this year—up to April 24—a total of 2,572 leptospirosis cases have been reported...