The number of Leptospirosis (commonly known as rat fever) cases islandwide is on a sharp surge. With the exception of Jaffna, every district has reported a rise in the number of suspected cases. The total number of cases reported for this year is 858.
According to the Government Epidemiology Unit (EPU,) 229 cases were reported islandwide in January, rising to 262 in February and up by 105 to 367 by March 21.
At least eight districts have reported more than 50 suspected cases with Ratnapura (84), Anuradhapura (83), Kalutara (77), Kurunegala (70), Polonnaruwa (65), Colombo (54), Gampaha (50) and Matara (50) registering the highest number of reported cases. The districts with the lowest incidence of cases are Kilinochchi (2), Kalmunai (4), Puttalam (6) and Badulla (9). Jaffna had no reported cases, EPU sources said.
Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease endemic in Sri Lanka is mostly found among those engaged in paddy farming. Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Paba Palihawadana told the Sunday Observer that farmers had been advised to keep their fields clean and ensure that accumulated water (following rains) is flushed to eliminate rat urine prior to cultivation and to ensure their fields are free of rat burrows.