Two challenging diseases

Two diseases- amoebic meningoencephalitis and leptospirosis (rat fever)- have become serious challenges for the state’s health sector. The problem with the first disease is that its source is not clearly identified, and there is no effective medicine. In the case of rat fever, medicine is available, but it is not working as effectively as before. The fact that 314 people have died from rat fever in the state in the last ten months is very alarming. During the same period, 29 people died due to brain fever. It makes no sense to downplay the death toll by saying only 314 people died out of over 4,600 affected by rat fever. Rat fever is a disease that can be prevented with medication. If treated early, the disease can be completely cured. Still, the continued spread of the disease and the ongoing deaths are causing concern.

Rat fever and brain fever are caused by two different types of bacteria. Although rats are seen as the main cause of rat fever, the bacteria Leptospira can also be found in the urine of dogs, cats, and cattle. Walking barefoot on wet soil or stepping into dirty water can allow bacteria to enter the body through small cuts or wounds on the feet. The first symptoms after infection are severe headache and fever. Many people, even after having a fever for several days, buy medicines directly from pharmacies instead of consulting a doctor. By the time a week passes, the disease may become too severe to treat effectively with medicine. Therefore, anyone with a fever lasting more than three days must see a doctor and get a blood test as advised to confirm the disease.

Among the 314 who died from rat fever, only 176 were diagnosed before death. The remaining 138 people died showing symptoms but without a confirmed diagnosis. It is believed that delayed diagnosis and treatment were the main causes of their deaths. Brain fever is a water-borne disease, but the exact way in which the germs enter the body and the type of water that causes it are still not fully known. It was first thought that people got infected when germs entered through the nose while swimming in dirty stagnant water, but cases have also been found in people who bathed in clean tap water. It is not yet certain whether unclean water tanks that are not cleaned regularly are the cause in such cases. Investigations into this are still ongoing.

Since both diseases are linked to contaminated water, maintaining personal hygiene and ensuring proper waste management are very important. Sanitation workers and others who have to work in dirty water should take preventive measures as advised by health officials to avoid rat fever. Anyone who has a strong fever and headache for more than three days should not delay consulting a doctor. Although there is no exact medicine or preventive vaccine for brain fever, keeping good hygiene can reduce the risk of infection. Disinfectants should be used in household water tanks, and the tanks should be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination. For any disease where treatment is not fully effective, prevention is always the best “medicine.”