Unidentified fever spreads in Jaffna, not confirmed as rat fever

Colombo, December 11 (Daily Mirror) - The sudden fever currently spreading in the Jaffna district has not yet been identified, nor has it been confirmed as rat fever (leptospirosis), Acting Consultant Community Physician of the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon said.

Addressing the media, she said that samples from fever patients had been sent for testing to determine whether the spreading fever is linked to leptospirosis.

"Patients with the unidentified fever were found to have respiratory difficulties. There is a possibility of a high prevalence of influenza, rat fever and dengue, especially given the ongoing rainy weather in the country. As of now, the fever has not been identified as rat fever," Dr. Weerakoon said.

However, due to the floods caused by adverse weather conditions, many areas, including those with seasonal paddy farming, have been flooded. This has led to an increase in reported cases of rat fever, she said.

Several deaths were reported during the floods this year, but the Ministry is conducting investigations to determine whether these deaths were caused by rat fever. So far, more than 10,000 patients have been reported with fever linked to various causes during this year.

In 2023, over 9,000 people were diagnosed with rat fever, and 200 deaths were reported.