South Lampung Health Office Reminds Residents To Beware Of Leptospirosis Diseases

Illustrations - rats carrying leptospirosis. (ANTARA/HO)

LAMPUNG - Head of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases of the South Lampung District Health Office (Dinkes) Jamaluddin reminded the public of leptospirosis diseases transmitted through the urine of infected animals, such as mouse urination. "So far, no case has been found in South Lampung," said Jamaludin in Kalianda, Antara, Tuesday, October 31. Leptospirosis can be transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with rat urinosis. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, yellow, and kidney disorders. "Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that needs to be watched out for, the cause is Leptospira infection, most of the sources of bacteria that cause leptospirosis come from rats who are infected with leptospirosis and can also be cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, dogs, pigs, and horses," he said. The South Lampung Health Office has examined several animals from several samples in the area. However, he said, until now there has been no connection between the positive rats and the people affected by the disease in the two areas. "The transmission through blood, urine, animal or animal body fluids containing Leptospira germs enters the human body through wounds and mucus membranes, it can also be from the infected breastfeeding mother transmitting to her child through her mother's milk, water or food contaminated with Leptospira bacteria," he said. To prevent this, Jamaludin appealed to the public to maintain environmental cleanliness and avoid contact with water or soil contaminated with rat urine. He also suggests boiling water before drinking or being used for bathing. "For vigilance, it is necessary to keep the environment clean. If a mouse is immediately eradicated, avoid water that may be contaminated by Leptospira bacteria, do not contact animals that are prone to germs, especially mice. When you are going to contact animals, use personal protection such as gloves and shoes, wash your hands after contact with animals. If there are livestock vaccinated so as not to become a place to live for Leptospira bacteria," he said. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of zoonosis that has the potential to end up after heavy rains and floods. It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 cases of leptospirosis every year around the world. In 2021, there were 734 cases of leptospirosis reported in Indonesia by eight provinces. Of that number, 84 people died with the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 11.4 percent.