Leptospirosis in Ernakulam District of Kerala in India: Post Flood Surveillance

Abstract

Background Outbreaks of leptospirosis usually occur after flooding. In 2018, Kerala suffered great flooding including Ernakulam district. Objective Present study was an assessment of the post flood leptospirosis surveillance in the flood affected areas of Ernakulam district of Kerala in India. Material & Method Data was collected for the period 15th August to 30th September 2018 from households, PHC and District level officers by using a standard questionnaire. A total of 2100 adults from 525 households were studied, various registers and records available at PHC and DSU were reviewed. Compliance to chemoprophylaxis, chlorination of wells, availability of chlorine tablets and orthotoludene test was studied. Results A total of 277 leptospirosis cases were reported, 49 (17.7%) cases were laboratory confirmed, most of the cases were from the catchment areas of the Periyar River. Mean age was 27.2 years with Standard Deviation of 3.2 and 192 (69.1%) were males. All the households were visited by the Health Worker and Chlorine tablets were given. More than 95% of the householders received chemoprophylaxis. Conclusions and Recommendations Increased awareness of the community, enhanced surveillance and timely administration of chemoprophylaxis were key strategies to prevent the outbreak of Leptospirosis. In leadership of Central Surveillance Team, periodic sensitization training of Medical Officers and other Health Care Workers on flood related illnesses could be a good initiative to fill the knowledge gap.