Leptospirosis Cases Increase In Kerala In The Aftermath of Floods; 5 Districts Alerted
First cases of leptospirosis after the floods have been registered as expected in Kerala. The Directorate of Health Services alerted five districts in the state.
Cases of leptospirosis have been reported in flood-affected Kerala. Instances of the vector-borne disease increases in the aftermath of floods due to human proximity with contaminated flood water. According to The News Minute, The Directorate of Health Services had issued an alert in five districts of the state —Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram — that have been rocked by the flood. The statement released by the Directorate stated that the flood situation should be taken very seriously and any cases of fever or myalgia should be reported as leptospirosis. 7 health problems and diseases Kerala may face after the floods.
The devastating floods that rocked Kerala in August 2018 left a trail of destruction in its wake. Millions were displaced and hundreds lost their lives and livelihoods in the melee that followed. But as the floods abated, health officials were certain that a catastrophe of such great proportions will obviously have some health repercussions. One of the commonest diseases seen after flooding is leptospirosis, a disease spread by animal urine. Precautions for Leptospirosis, Hepatitis + 6 Water-born Diseases For This Rainy Season.
The bacteria leptospira is present in the bodies of mammals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and dogs, which is shed through their urine. During floods, the pathogen mixes with the rainwater and enters the human body through cuts in the skin. Although leptospirosis is usually a seasonal disease that starts at the onset of monsoon and declines thereafter, in case of natural disasters like the Kerala floods, it can assume epidemic proportions.
When To Watch Out
Anyone who has waded in the rainwater should watch out for early symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and conjunctivitis. Ideally, the antibiotic doxycycline should be taken within 72 hours.
The Directorate of Health Services in Kerala has issued a statement saying any sign of fever and pain in the calf, abdomen and pelvic muscles (myalgia) should be treated as leptospirosis immediately. Other symptoms of the disease include infection and redness of eyes; headache; chest pain; and haemorrhage.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2018 11:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).