Gujarat govt gets ready to tackle leptospirosis

The state government has come out with a leptospirosis manual to tackle the deadly disease, which claims a number of lives every year, particularly in South Gujarat, during the upcoming monsoon season.

Health minister Jaynarayan Vyas said that the manual is a part of a series of precautionary steps initiated by health, agriculture and animal husbandry departments to control spread of leptospirosis during rains.

“The infrastructure has been put in place at hospitals, primary health centres and community health centres to check leptospirosis. We are also focusing on creating awareness among the rural dwellers, especially farm labourers,” Vyas said.

Leptospirosis mainly affects farmers from Surat, Tapi, Valsad and Navsari districts during monsoons. Around 80 to 100 people die every year because of the disease.

The minister said that necessary training has been provided to doctors and medical staff at health centres and hospitals. “Control rooms will be started at district and state levels from June 15,” Vyas added.