Advice to stay clear of floodwaters over Leptospirosis scare
KUALA TERENGGANU: The East Coast Environmental Research Institute ( ESERI) yesterday advised the people to avoid dipping themselves in floodwaters for too long or often to prevent contracting Leptospirosis or rat urine disease.
According to ESERI, which is based at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, f loodwaters are often contaminated with all kinds of bacteria.
Its director, Assoc Prof Dr Hafizan Juahir, said the bacteria can enter the human body through cuts or cavities or if a person accidently drinks the water.
“Ensure that food waste and refuse are placed in closed containers such as rubbish bins or plastic. Food waste and refuse can attract disease-bearing animals to homes, especially in flood-hit areas,” he said to Bernama.
He said studies conducted on cases of Leptospirosis showed that clinical characteristics and environmental and socioeconomic factors were closely associated with the disease.
“Leptospirosis has been recognised as a global public health problem because of the rising rate of epidemics and cases in developing countries. An outbreak of the disease usually occurs after a f lood caused by heavy seasonal rain, like what is happening now in our country,” he said.
Hafizan said epidemiological studies showed that infection was usually associated with farmers, sewerage workers, veterinarians and handlers of certain animals. “Leptospirosis can also be contracted during recreational activities such as picnics, swimming and canoeing,” he added. — Bernama