LEPTOSPIROSIS: RAINY SEASON’ S NIGHTMARE
Fitrah Aulia Lisabilla
AMSA – Universitas Brawijaya
Climate changes have a great impact for tropical country in the world, especially Indonesia. Located between 2 oceans, Indonesia must face the climate change in a bigger consequence. Recent heavy rains and flooding are caused by global warming phenomenon, and such events are expected to become more common over time. As average temperatures in regions across the country have gone up, more rain has fallen during the heaviest downpours. This heavy rainy season caused a devastating flooding and water-borne disease will spread.
Floodwater in Indonesia is generally contaminated by various pollutants: sewage, human and animal feces, pesticides and insecticides, fertilizers, and so forth. When flood happen, we suggested to avoid contact with wild animals, rats and rodents that possibly carry viruses and diseases. Leptospirosis, or Weil ' s disease – a zoonotic bacterial cause by a bacteria called spirochete, and is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal. This disease associated predominantly with rats – often accompanies floods in developing countries. Although rats, mice and other rodents are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and pigs also carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts.
Leptospirosis prevention is all activities or actions aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of Spirochete in the water. 1). Do not swim or wade in water that might be contaminated with animal urine. 2). Disinfect contaminated Surface. 3). Do not come into intact with potentially-infected animal. 4). Take the antibiotic prophylaxis. 5). Wear protective clothes and equipment. With this steps, I hope that leptospirosis prevalence’ s in Indonesia will decrease.
Keep your body health, Protect your pet, Protect yourself.
Source:
Victoriano, Ann Florence B., et al. " Leptospirosis in the Asia Pacific region." BMC infectious diseases 9.1( 2009): 1.
WHO. Leptospirosis, 2006, who. int / zoonoses / diseases / leptospirosis / en /. Accessed 9 October. 2016.