Kerala Health dept warns of leptospirosis spread

Kochi: Health department in the district has issued a warning regarding the spread of leptospirosis during the monsoon season. The number of leptospirosis cases may go up as the monsoon intensifies, the health department officials said.

Those engaged in rehabilitation and rescue operations, and cleaning works during monsoon should take doxycycline, which is the preventive medicine for leptospirosis, district medical officer Dr KK Asha said in a statement.

It is through the viscera and urine of the animals which are the carrier of the disease that leptospirosis is being spread. People should avoid getting in touch with the urine of animals like cattle, pigs, dogs and rats. People should take adequate precaution to avoid food items and drinking water being contaminated with urine of such animals. Those engaged in rearing cattle, workers under employment guarantee schemes, agricultural labourers and farmers and cleaning workers are more prone to get the disease. They should take special care to avoid chances to contract the disease, the health department officials warned.

Cleaning workers should wear thick gloves and boots while on duty. Those with wounds on legs and arms should not do cleaning workers until the wounds are fully healed. Children should not be allowed to play in waterlogged areas, the officials said.

Severe fever, headache, body pain, red eye and fatigue are the major symptoms of leptospirosis. Fever, sore throat, body pain and fatigue which are the symptoms of COVID-19 as well, are common to the diseases like leptospirosis, dengue and waterborne diseases. Self-medication should be avoided and if any such symptoms are found, the patient should consult a doctor, the officials added.