Warning: Water and water stagnation: Beware of “leptospirosis.” Nearly 2,000 people are sick, 24 have died.

Date: 8 August 2024 Dr Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn Director General of the Disease Control Department The Ministry of Public Health revealed that there was heavy rain in many areas at this time. Thus causing some areasfloods One of the common health effects after flooding is: Leptospirosis (Leptospirosis) or “Leptospirosis” It is a disease that usually spreads during the rainy season or monsoon storms.

Leptospirosis or leptospirosis (Leptospirosis) caused by

Leptospirosis (Leptospirosis) or Leptospirosis is caused byBacteria in the urine of carrier animals such as rats, pigs, cows, buffaloes, dogs, goats, sheep come out of animal urine and contaminate water sources, canals and small ponds. and various wet muddy soils The disease can live for months. Diseases can enter the human body through cuts or scratches, scrapes, or through soft skin from prolonged immersion in water. Including getting the disease from eating food or drinking contaminated water.

Data from the Disease Surveillance Digital Disease Reporting System (DDS), Department of Epidemiology. From January 1 – July 31, 2024, 1,952 cases of leptospirosis or leptospirosis were detected, with 24 deaths (representing a case fatality rate of 1.23 percent).

The 3 highest age groups with the most cases are those aged 60 years and over, with an incidence rate of 4.38 per 100,000 people, followed by people aged 50-59 years (4.20) and those age 40-49 years (3.24), respectively. .

For the top 3 age groups who died the majority were 30-39 years old (2.16 per cent), followed by 60 years and over (1.61) and 50-59 years (1.44), respectively.

Regarding data from the outbreak news monitoring program of the Department of Disease Control, the highest number of patients in agricultural occupations was found at 30.77 percent, followed by contract occupations (23.08) and rubber tapping ( 15.38). with water sources/wet soil (91.67 percent)

The main symptoms found are 91.67% had high fever, followed by shortness of breath (83.33), dry cough (66.67) and muscle pain, especially calf muscles (58.33).

Symptoms of leptospirosis

Dr. Apichat Wachiraphan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Disease Control, said about the symptoms of leptospirosis that patients in the early stages will have symptoms similar to those of common infectious diseases. But the difference can be noted: about 2-10 days after infection, a very high fever begins. Headache Body pain Especially in the back, calves and thighs, along with cold. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and red eyes if they have these symptoms after wading through mud or soaking in water for a long time. Please think about this disease. And hurry to see a doctor or hospital near you quickly to get the right treatment. Importantly, please tell the treating doctor about any history of walking through water or mud. To diagnose quickly and provide treatment Do not buy medicine to take yourself. Because it causes severe symptoms such as liver and kidney failure, there is a risk of death. Past data on deaths from leptospirosis found that most people came to see the doctor late.

Leptospirosis is preventable.

• Avoid soaking in water for long periods of time. Or walk through mud and water barefoot. Especially those who have wounds or scratches on their feet need to be especially careful. If you have to walk through water, wear shoes. or shoes that cover the feet to prevent direct contact with the water If there are wounds, they should be covered with a waterproof plaster. And hurry to clean wounds and the body immediately after finishing the work or wading in the water.
• Wash your hands and feet often with soap and water.
• Eat clean food Freshly cooked and hot Leftover food should be stored in tightly closed containers. and warming it to a boil or hot before eating each time
• Keep the residence, house and kitchen clean. If you clean the house after the flood recedes, wear rubber gloves and boots while cleaning. Rubbish, especially food scraps, should be kept in a bin with a tightly closed lid. Or put it in a plastic bag and tie the bag tightly. So that it does not become a source of food for rats to enter the house
• If you have a high fever along with a headache muscle pain Especially in the calves After touching areas full of water/soil that may be contaminated with animal urine, including rats, cows, buffalo , pigs, dogs and goats, do not buy medicine to take yourself. You should see a doctor immediately. and tell you about your risk history so you can consider the right treatment.

The public can request more information or seek advice from the Disease Control Department Hotline, call 1422