Leptospirosis in Kerala claims 152 lives, experts urge for study

Kannur: Despite the presence of an effective treatment regime to treat and prevent it, Kerala continues to be plagued by cases of leptospirosis. It is transforming into one of the deadliest fevers in the state.

This year, 152 people have died of leptospirosis in the state. However, only 76 deaths have been reported by the government. Twenty-four people have died this month alone. This year, 1,368 people have been affected by the disease. At present, 1,170 cases are suspected to be leptospirosis.

In most parts of the world, leptospirosis occurs during the rainy season, but in Kerala, cases are reported all year round. The disease is reported in every district of the state, and the risk of contracting it is quite high in the months of July, August, and September.

Leptospira, the bacteria that cause leptospirosis, can be destroyed with antibiotics such as doxycycline and penicillin. However, it is quite unfortunate that people die of this disease despite the existence of a medicine. Deaths usually occur when people delay seeking treatment.

In 90 percent of cases, leptospirosis is reported as a mild disease. It becomes severe for people with other comorbidities or the elderly. In complicated cases, leptospirosis can affect the liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart.

According to Dr B Padmakumar, Principal of Government Medical College, Paripally, Kollam, extensive studies should be conducted on why leptospirosis remains prevalent in the state and causes death. "Aspects of the pathogen, the person infected, and the conditions of transmission should be examined. A holistic approach to understanding the disease is important," he said.

Symptoms

Fever, severe muscle pain, headache, redness in the eyes, patches on the skin, jaundice, and decreased urine output.

Things to Keep in Mind

There are many variants of bacteria that cause leptospirosis. Which of these are present in Kerala and which are more dangerous?

Though commonly known as rat fever, the disease is not only transmitted through rat urine. Other animals like cattle, pigs, and dogs can also carry the pathogen.

The disease can be spread when open wounds on the body come into contact with pathogens that might be present in water bodies, streams, ponds, and pools of water on farms contaminated by the urine of disease-carrying rodents.

People who do not come into contact with contaminated water also get leptospirosis. What is the source in such cases? How do many people within a household get infected and form a cluster?