Sri Lanka sounds 'red alert' over rat fever following monsoonal rains

2018-06-05 10:15:45

(MENAFN- NewsIn.Asia) Colombo, June 5 (newsin.asia) - Sri Lanka's Health Ministry has issued a ‘red alert' on the spread of rat fever in several districts across the island in the aftermath of heavy monsoonal rains which killed 24 people and displaced over 75,000, the local Sunday Times reported.

Health authorities said districts which were affected by floods, were at a risk of many diseases including rat fever and urged the public to take safety measures.

The Health Ministry said those identified in ‘high risk groups', such as those working in paddy fields or in places where there is stagnant water, should obtain medicines prescribed by doctors to prevent the onset of rat fever.

The Ministry further said that those who suffered from wounds or even minor cuts on their feet, should refrain from working in paddy fields or standing in stagnant water.

Doctors explained that symptoms of rat fever include fever, headache and body ache. If left untreated, it can affect the kidneys and be fatal.

Following the recent monsoonal rains which lashed out across the country, districts such as Puttalam, Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Ratnapura were severely affected.

Provincial epidemiologists said that diseases could spread faster in these districts since they were the worst affected.

Over 75,000 were displaced and evacuated to safer shelters while a few were also reported missing.

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