Published Date: 2010-07-20 14:14:32
Subject: PRO/MBDS> Leptospirosis - Thailand: Kalasin
Archive Number: 20100720.2433

LEPTOSPIROSIS - THAILAND: KALASIN
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Date: Sun 18 Jul 2010
Source: The ASTV Manager Online [in Thai, trans. Mod.SCM, edited]
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9530000098712


Director of Kalasin Hospital Dr. Somkid Suriyalert has warned farmers
to beware of rat urine [leptospirosis], after finding an increasing
number of patients, especially in Muang district. To date [18 Jul
2010], there have been 25 cases and 2 fatalities due to leptospirosis
reported in Muang district.

Therefore, farmers who wade through floodwater or muddy surfaces and
then develop high fever and muscle aches must immediately seek
medical attention.

Delay of treatment can cause death.

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS


[Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects humans
and animals caused by spirochetes of the genus _Leptospira_.
Incubation period of illness is 2 days to 4 weeks. Symptoms include
high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches and vomiting, and
may include jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash.
Leptospirosis occurs worldwide, but is most common in temperate or
tropical climates. _Leptospira_ organisms have been found in cattle,
pigs, horses, dogs, rodents and wild animals.

Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil
containing urine from these infected animals. The disease is not
known to be spread from person to person. Leptospirosis is treated
with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin. If the disease
is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis,
liver failure and respiratory distress (see
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm).

According to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, Bureau of
Epidemiology's (BOE) report on leptospirosis, available in Thai at
http://203.157.15.4/surdata/disease.php?ds=43, since 1 Jan 2010
until 11 Jul 2010, a total of 1645 cases and 17 fatalities were
reported from 67 provinces (out of 76 provinces of Thailand). The
attack rate was 2.59 per 100 000 population. Among cases and
fatalities, 82 cases and 2 fatalities were reported from Kalasin province.

The region that has the highest attack rate (per 100 000 population)
of leptospirosis is the north-eastern region (5.30), following by the
south (3.32), north (1.14) and central regions (0.41). High attack
rates (per 100 000 population) were reported in these 5 provinces:
Ranong (19.81), Pangnga (16.69), Burirum (16.62), Sri Saket (13.21),
Surin (12.56).

For maps showing Thailand's provinces, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand, and for
regions, see http://thailandforvisitors.com/general/regions.html.
Kalasin province is located in the north-east of Thailand.
Neighboring provinces are Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Maha
Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. For the interactive
HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other recent
ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see http://healthmap.org/r/01JG.
- Mod.SCM]

See Also

2009
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Leptospirosis - Thailand: Nan 20090727.2647
2008
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Leptospirosis - Thailand (03): Nakhon Ratchasima 20081114.3585
Leptospirosis - Thailand (02) 20081013.3235
Acute resp distress syndrome - Thailand (02): leptospirosis conf. 20081002.3110
Acute resp. distress syndrome - Thailand: AI susp. 20081001.3093
Leptospirosis - Thailand 20080708.2065
2007
----
Leptospirosis - China (Hong Kong) ex Thailand: RFI 20070623.2028
.......................................scm/msp/yma

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From owner-promed-mbds@promed.isid.harvard.edu Tue Jul 20 14:57:08 2010