Nagpur: At a time when the number of patients suffering from dengue and chikungunya are increasing alarmingly in Nagpur, now another disease related to rainy season is also showing its ugly head in the city — it is leptospirosis — also known as Rat Fever. Nine patients tested positive for this disease till now.
Of the nine patients, two were detected in Nagpur city while 7 in rural area. Viruses of this disease are spread through the urine of rats, pigs, domestic animals. The disease spreads when humans come in contact with water contaminated by animal urine. Those who have wounds get affected immediately.
One patient each has been found in Satranjipura and Dharampeth zones in Nagpur city. At present, 186 patients of this disease have been reported across the State. Among them, reports informed that one patient died in Chandrapur district. These patients are found in large numbers in Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Jalgaon, Amravati and Chandrapur.
According to Dr Nikhil Balankhe, President of Association of Physicians of India, this disease is also known as Rat Fever. These bacteria also grow in wet ground and then infect rodents and animals. This disease can reach humans through the urine of these animals. People who live with animals, work in mud and come in contact with flood water are more at risk of this disease. The symptoms of this disease are similar to dengue and viral fever because of which many people get confused.
The symptoms of this disease are chills followed by severe fever, severe headache, pain in hands and feet, red eyes, loss of appetite, nausea, bleeding, muscle pain, and vomiting. Chest pain and swollen arms and legs are seen in severe cases. Doctors say patients must approach for treatment, without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney and liver damage and even death.
This disease is mainly spread by rats. Therefore, experts have suggested that patients should take care that rats do not enter the house. People should not go to stagnant water, wet ground, wash fruits and vegetables with water, and keep the food in the house covered at all times.
