Heavy Rains Increase Threat Of Lethal Leptospirosis!
Mumbai, which was desperately waiting for monsoon, has incidentally received such unprecedented rainfall that life has gone topsy- turvy! With clogged nullahs, gutters and open drains overflowing, water has accumulated at multiple places in Mumbai and its suburbs, including Mulund. The worst affected are the slum areas. People are thus forced to wade through the contaminated water for hours and this has become the key reason behind the increase in several diseases including the lethal Leptospirosis.
Readers may note that Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused mainly due to wounds in our foot and other parts of body when exposed to animal urine in contaminated water. BMC is thus afraid that after the recent deluge in the city and the consequent water-logging woes, the probability of an increase in the number of Leptospirosis cases in the month of July would mount enormously. Hence, as a preventive measure, BMC has urged the Mumbaikars to visit the BMC Dispensaries / Health Centers in their areas and take medicines (available free) against Leptospirosis to avoid being infected with Leptospirosis. Secondly, BMC has also appealed to Mumbai citizens to avoid walking in contaminated water during the monsoon season.
In Mulund, the BMC T-Ward, too, has started taking steps to thwart the rise of Leptospirosis and other monsoon-related diseases in their nascent stage. BMC officials from the BMC Health Department are visiting various areas of Mulund and creating awareness and methods to prevent Leptospirosis and other monsoon-related diseases through loudspeakers.
The major symptoms of Leptospirosis are:
Acute headache
High fever
Muscular aches
Sometimes Jaundice-like symptoms i.e. yellow skin and eyes
Leptospirosis is curable, if treated timely
Through blood test and other tests, it is possible to treat Leptospirosis. It is a curable disease, but patients should act fast or it can become difficult to save a life.
If you have waded long hours in contaminated water-logged areas, then it is advisable to take medication against Leptospirosis within 24 to 72 hours to avoid any possibility of being infectefd with Leptospirosis.
The disease spread its wings in India in 2013 during monsoon. Each year, 5 lakh people are infected by the disease and 10 to 15 per cent of the patients die due to lack of awareness.
Preventive measures against Leptospirosis
Do not wade through contaminated water, especially during flooding.
Clean all wounds as soon as possible and cover them with ‘waterproof’ dressings.
Use protective shoes while moving out.
Keep legs dry as fungus infects wet toes.
Wash hands with soap and water after handling animals.
Get pets immunized against Leptospirosis.
Diabetic patients are more prone to Leptospirosis
