Rat fever cases near 7,000; health alert issued

Newswire reports nearly 7,000 leptospirosis cases in Sri Lanka so far this year, and Hiru News reports 6,900. Daily Mirror, Ada Derana and Ada Derana (සිංහල) report health warnings linked to the Maha cultivation season and monsoon conditions.

Newswire reports that consultant community physician Thushari Dabarera of the Epidemiology Unit spoke at a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau. Newswire says health officials identified Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle and Matara as the districts with the highest numbers of reported cases so far this year.

Newswire reports that the Epidemiology Unit and Health Promotion Bureau urged particular caution among people doing agricultural work and those in muddy or waterlogged environments. It says cases typically rise in two seasonal periods, April to June and September through January, associated with rain and agricultural activity.

Newswire explains that leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can pass from animals to people through water or soil contaminated by infected animals’ urine. It reports that bacteria may enter through cuts, damaged skin or mucous membranes, and identifies paddy-field farmers and people exposed to floodwater as higher-risk groups.

Newswire reports that symptoms may resemble dengue or influenza and lists fever, aches, sore throat, severe headache, leg and foot muscle pain, and red eyes as possible symptoms. It says health officials advised people with symptoms to seek medical attention promptly, and reports that roughly 300 people die from the disease in Sri Lanka each year.