News
Rat fever rages in Jaffna, claims eight lives
By Dinasena Rathugamage
With the resumption of rains, the number of rat fever patients in Jaffna has risen sharply, reaching 89 by Tuesday morning.
Last week, there were only 17 patients in the specialized treatment units at Pt. Pedro, Manthai and Jaffna. However, the numbers have increased rapidly in just three days.
So far, eight deaths have been reported due to the fever: seven at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and one at the Mullaitivu Hospital.
To prevent the spread of the fever in Jaffna, antibiotics have been provided to all vulnerable workers.
The Department of Animal Production and Health has been requested to analyse blood samples of cattle in the affected areas.