A warning about an epidemic in Sri Lanka
The main symptom is abdominal pain
The Department of Epidemiology says that 5,000 cases of rat fever have been reported in Sri Lanka in the last 6 months of the year.
Health authorities urge people to seek medical attention immediately if they have a fever or symptoms of rat flu.
Rat fever, also known as well fever, mine fever or mud fever, is medically known as leptospirosis.
The bacterium that causes this disease is mainly contained in the urine of rats and it has now been found to be contained in the feces and urine of cattle, dogs and pigs.
After joining the urine of animals with pathogenic bacteria, it enters the human body through the wounds on the feet as well as the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth.
Commenting on this, Epidemiologist Dr. Tushani Dabarera said that 100 or more deaths are reported due to rat fever throughout the year.
The doctor also said that in many cases the people who did not seek treatment die from this condition and said that there are medicines for rat fever and this disease can be cured by getting proper treatment.
The doctor also said that people with cut legs or other injuries are more at risk and mentioned that the bacteria can also be ingested by washing the face, mouth or nose with contaminated water.
Rice farmers, gem miners as well as sewage and canal cleaning workers are at high risk of contracting rat fever, mostly reported from districts like Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle, Matara, Kalutara, Moneragala, Kuruganegala.
Dr. Kolitha Jayasundara, a physiologist at the Ragama North Colombo Teaching Hospital, said to seek immediate treatment if there are symptoms.
"If there is a high fever, if the eyes are red, there may be a stomach ache. Cough may come. Spots may appear. The main symptom is muscle pain. The pain in the hair is too much. If things like that come, see a doctor."
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