Health department on alert after rat fever scare

“No case of leptospirosis has been reported so far in the district and people need not panic. But they should take necessary precautions to prevent its spread,” said PG Banumathi, Deputy Director of Health Services, Coimbatore. 

The department has advised people to seek medical attention once they have fever, headache, severe muscle pain and red eyes, all of which are symptoms of rat fever. 

“Rat fever isn’t spread by rodents alone as even dogs, cattle and other animals could be carriers of the virus. Their faeces and urine spread the disease,” she said.

Advising the people to consume boiled water, Banumathi said, “The drinking water supplied to the people must be well chlorinated as animals have access to water at dams. Our priority now is to maintain good sanitation, hygiene and chlorination of water.”

The Health department has asked all primary health centres, government hospitals and private hospitals to monitor fever cases periodically and alert the authorities if they come across patients with symptoms of rat fever. 

“Not just limiting to places located on Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, PHCs in all villages have been asked to remain alert and immediately report cases of fever. We are taking adequate precaution for early diagnosis and treatment,” said Banumathi. 

The rat fever has claimed scores of lives in Kerala till now. Hence, people travelling from Kerala should immediately approach the hospital without delay if they develop any symptoms, the official said. 

The health department has stocked up medicine in adequate quantity to treat the fever. “We have set up medical camps on the inter-State borders to screen people coming from Kerala. People should keep their surroundings clean and ensure that they consume clean water,” said K Santhosh Kumar, Health Officer, Coimbatore Corporation.