Intermediary Rats To Cows, Ministry Of Health Asks To Beware Of Leptospirosis Diseases In Flood Areas

Residents crossed the flood while carrying 3 kg LPG gas in Bojong Asih, Bandung Regency, West Java, Friday, March 8, 2019. (Between-Novrian Arbi)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) reminded the public to be aware of leptospirosis which often appears when floods appear.

Leptospirosis is caused by leptospira bacteria that spread through the urine or blood of infected animals. Some of the intermediary animals spread rats, cows, dogs and pigs.

"It is important for us to be vigilant, especially the rainy season and the flood season, especially to be aware of leptospirosis," said Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 1, as reported by Antara.

Nadia added that leptospirosis can be spread through water and soil contaminated with urine of leptospira bacteria-carrying animals.

A person can be infected with Leptospirosis, if he is exposed to the urine of the animal or contact with contaminated water or soil.

According to Nadia, as of December 2022, there were 1,408 cases of leptospirosis reported by the provincial health office to the Ministry of Health, 139 of whom were declared dead.

"Leptospirosis can also cause death even if the number is small," he said.

A number of provinces with the highest case rate in that period included Central Java with around 502 cases, 70 deaths, and the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) ranging from 13.94.

Then East Java Province reached 401 cases, 14 deaths, with CFR 3.49. Yogyakarta as many as 235 cases, 13 deaths and CFR 5.53.

West Java Province ranges from 187 cases, 30 deaths, and 16.04 CFR. Banten Province 64 cases, 12 deaths, and 18.75 CFR. DKI Jakarta Province reported seven cases, zero deaths, and CFR 0.00.

"It is a province that routinely detects and reports cases of leptospirosis. Not necessarily other provinces are zero, there are no cases. But it may not be reported," he said.

Some symptoms of leptospirosis appear two to four weeks after being infected with leptospira bacteria, in the form of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, red eyes, muscle aches, stomach pain, to red spots on the skin that are not lost when pressed.

Leptospirosis can be prevented by wearing personal protective equipment, such as gloves, boots, and eye protection while you work in an area that risks transmitting leptospira bacteria.

Cover the wound with a waterproof plaster, especially before contact with water in the wild. Avoid direct contact with contaminated water, such as swimming or bathing, to vaccinating pets or livestock.