Four more succumb to rat fever in Kozhikode following outbreak after floods

However reports say that one more death from rat fever has been confirmed in Ernakulam.
Four more succumb to rat fever in Kozhikode following outbreak after floods
Four more succumb to rat fever in Kozhikode following outbreak after floods
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Four more deaths caused by leptospirosis were confirmed in Kerala as of Saturday. The four cases were reported from Kozhikode district.

Dr Jayashree, Kozhikode District Medical Officer told TNM that a total of 13 deaths were reported in the district as of Saturday alone, of which four of them were confirmed to be due to leptospirosis, which is also known as ‘rat fever.’

The deceased have been identified as Saleem Sha of Karamula, Mukkam, Sumesh of Vengeri, Sreedevi of Chamravatoom in Malappuram and Ujesh of Vadakara.

Following the floods, 128 suspected cases of rat fever have been reported in Kozhikode district alone, since August 8.

However, reports stated that one more leptospirosis case was confirmed in Ernakulam.

The deceased has been identified as Kumari of Perumbavoor Chamakkal who was a worker with the state’s Kudumbashree mission. Kumari had been involved in the cleaning drive after the floods. She was admitted in hospital with a fever.

“On August 28 an alert was issued for leptospirosis, for five districts-Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur in particular. People were told to take preventive measures with doxycycline tablet and to seek treatment right away if they presented with any symptoms of rat fever. The symptoms are high fever, myalgia (tiredness),” Additional Chief Secretary(Health) Rajeev Sadanandan said.

 He further added that there were at least 140 suspected cases throughout the state.

Fake News Alert

Following the leptospirosis outbreak, a number of messages have been circulating on WhatsApp and social media regarding the fever.

“I heard there are some rumors spreading about the prophylactic medicine for leptospirosis, though I’ve yet to come in contact with any such messages. People are allegedly spreading wrong information about doxycycline which is given as a prevention for leptospirosis. If taken at the right time, before the onset of the fever or other symptoms, it does help. If people present with symptoms then we have to admit and treat with penicillin or other medicines as deemed necessary,” Rajeev Sadanandan said.

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