The present retrospective study was carried out to assess
the prevalence of leptospirosis and the associated risk factors in the
epidemiology of the disease. Human leptospirosis is an anthropozoonoses. The
disease is grossly underreported in India as diagnosis is often challenging due
to its protean clinical manifestations in tropical countries and the lack of
simple diagnostic measures
for early detection and control of the infection. In India
is still being underreported though it has gained extreme public health
importance, because of huge livestock and rodent populations and poor sanitary
conditions. Fresh serum samples from 1730 human cases of different age and
occupational groups, and either sex, with PUO or manifesting signs suggestive
of leptospirosis were
received by the Leptospirosis Laboratory at the Department
of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary College and
Research Institute, Namakkal from various hospitals in and around Namakkal
district of Tamil Nadu from June 2008 to May 2012. The study revealed a
positivity of 51.7 % was observed and 85 % of the positive cases manifested a
milder anicteric
leptospirosis. High positivity was observed in truck drivers
(65.8%), age group of <20 years (55.4%), males (54.0%) and north-east
monsoon (53.2%). From the calculated relative risk (RR), a strong positive
association could be observed between truck drivers and males with the
occurrence of leptospirosis. A prompt epidemiological investigation in
susceptible animal populations along with an
unequivocal diagnosis of positives in humans exposed to the
risk factors, in association with the periodical vaccination of susceptible
animals and control of rodents, could possibly halt the emergence of the
disease. The present study could identify the risk factors and a one health
approach is required to create awareness among the public on zoonotic diseases
including risk factors, and prevention
and control measures.
Authro(s) Details
Dr. S. Saravanan
Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary
College and Research Institute, Namakkal - 637 002, India.
G. Selvaraju
Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary
College and Research Institute, Namakkal - 637 002, India.
Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpmab/v3/289
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