Doctors warn leptospirosis is spreading in Thai NE

BANGKOK, Sept 11 (TNA) -- Physicians warned that the rainy season is the perfect time the leptospirosis disease to spread, particularly in the areas in the lower Thai northeastern region, as almost 150 people is already infected with the bacteria and two had already died. Director-general of the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 9 Nakhon Ratchasima, Dr Theerawat Walaisatien said that during the rainy season the number of patients infected with leptospirosis would increase, especially in the four provinces in the lower part of the northeastern region. He said a total of 143 patients have already contracted the disease, where two had died from it, noting that the spreading of the disease in Surin province is the most severe, as 94 residents there have been infected and two had died. Dr Theerawat said most farmers would not to be vigilant during the rice planting season and would walk straight into the mud and water without wearing proper boots, causing the bacteria which comes with the urine of rice field rats left in the rice field to get into contact with the human body. He advised farmers to wear boots at all times before wading into the mud and water in the fields to prevent the catching of the disease. He said, although the number patients who had contracted the disease is not high, farmers are still infected every year. He noted that all farmers should better look after themselves as the disease could be caught at any time and could be life threatening. (TNA)