Two persons died of leptospirosis (rat fever) in Dakshina Kannada on Thursday last and Monday, according to District Health and Family Welfare Officer O. Srirangappa.
In a press release issued here, he said Deepak Poojary (22) died in Father Muller Hospital on Thursday, while his brother Praveen (17) died at KMC Hospital on Monday.
He said Deepak, son of Seetharam Poojary of B. Mooda village in Panjinakallu, was first admitted for fever in a private hospital in B.C. Road.
Later on suspicion that he might have contracted leptospirosis, he was shifted to Father Muller Hospital in Kankanady. “But because of the delay in bringing him to the hospital, he died of liver and kidney failure.
On Saturday, Mr. Seetharam Poojary and his younger son Praveen were admitted to KMC Hospital, Attavar, for fever. But Praveen tested negative for the disease and was discharged. But he was readmitted to KMC Hospital at Jyothi Circle on Sunday where he died on Monday evening. His father had recovered, the officer said.
He told The Hindu that there were rat boroughs near the house where an open container of water was kept. This could have served as a source for the spread of the disease. Delay in getting treatment could lead to jaundice which could be the sign of liver failure. It could also lead to multiple organ and renal failure.
It was better to wear gumboots, and plastic gloves while working in water. If that was not possible, one should take hot water bath and apply antiseptic cream over wounds after exposure to contaminated sources. However, it was difficult to figure out which water was contaminated. People should seek medical attention if they had symptoms such as headache, body pain and fever, Dr. Srirangappa stated.
