Leptospirosis: 30 dead so far in South Gujarat

Continued deaths of people suffering from leptospirosis come as no surprise for staff working at the New Civil Hospital in Surat. The reason being, each year, many people die due to the disease, majority of them from rural areas. While the disease has been prevalent in the region for more than a decade, the state administration seems helpless in containing it.

With two more deaths due to leptospirosis, the toll is now 30 this year, and the monsoon season has only reached the halfway mark. 174 people have been tested positive for leptospirosis and are being treated at the hospital. On Friday, nine more patients were admitted for treatment. The condition of three of these patients is said to be critical.

Looking at high number of patient admissions, hospital administration has created a separate ward for 'lepto' patients."We have created a ward F0 for 'lepto' patients. All necessary arrangements have been provided in the ward, so that patients get a timely treatment. This year too, a large number of leptospirosis patients have been admitted to the hospital," MK Wadhel, superintendent of the New Civil Hospital, said.

According to experts, 'lepto' is primarily caused due to liquid waste disposed by cattle and rats in the fields. The liquid waste is decomposed with water deposited in fields, which develops the Leptospira - virus responsible for Leptospirosis. When a farmer or farm labourer works in the field without adequate safety gear - boots and gloves - the virus enters into their body.

"The virus generally enters if there are cracks in the skin or if there is an open wound. After entering the body, the virus directly attacks the liver, respiratory tract and lungs. Its preliminary symptoms are similar to Jaundice, but with time, the virus damages important organs of the body," Dr M Kantharia, said.

Dr Kantharia is the head of PSM (preventive and social medicine) department of New Civil Hospital in Surat. According to Kantharia humidity in the atmosphere is a favourable condition for long survival of the leptospira virus.