The Thiruvananthapuram district medical office has intensified preventive measures against leptospirosis and mosquito-borne diseases as rainfall strengthens, urging residents to avoid stagnant water, maintain hygiene and seek early treatment for symptoms.
The district medical office said people who need to enter waterlogged or contaminated areas should take doxycycline as a preventive measure against leptospirosis, strictly on the advice of health workers. The tablets are available free of cost at all healthcare institutions, according to the statement.
Farmers, MGNREGS workers, sanitation workers, plumbers, painters, construction workers and others who work in waterlogged areas have been identified as groups at greater risk. People who frequently come into contact with animals or contaminated water are also vulnerable.
The health authorities advised workers in contaminated water to use protective gloves and footwear. People with wounds should avoid entering contaminated water or working in soil. Anyone who has to walk through contaminated water should wash their feet thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible. The district medical office also cautioned residents against self-medication.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, headache, muscle pain—particularly in the calf muscles—abdominal pain, vomiting, redness of the eyes and jaundice. People experiencing these symptoms have been advised to seek treatment at the nearest health centre without delay.
The advisory also called for weekly dry days to reduce mosquito breeding. Educational institutions have been asked to observe dry days on Fridays, workplaces on Saturdays and households on Sundays. The measure is intended to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, where Aedes mosquitoes can breed and spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika.
Residents have been urged to inspect homes and surrounding areas regularly. Potential breeding sites include refrigerator trays, plates beneath flowerpots, unused toilets, water storage tanks, coconut shells, discarded containers and other materials that collect rainwater. The district medical office said removing stagnant water and maintaining cleanliness were essential to reducing the risk of outbreaks during the rainy season.
