Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 October 2025
Great Nicobar has in current previous witnessed the regarding detection of a number of instances of leptospirosis, also referred to as Andaman Fever, prompting requires pressing consciousness and preventive measures. According to native sources, a lot of the current instances have been reported from Laxmi Nagar Gram Panchayat, a settlement largely inhabited by ex-servicemen settlers and their households, lots of whom are engaged in agriculture.
Sources counsel that the focus of a number of instances in Laxmi Nagar GP could also be linked to the neighborhood’s occupational publicity. Agricultural work usually entails extended contact with moist soil, standing water, and flood-prone areas—circumstances that favour the survival and unfold of Leptospira micro organism. Additionally, the presence of home animals, livestock, and rodents within the space will increase the chance of transmission.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial an infection brought on by Leptospira spirochetes. The major reservoirs within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands embody:
- Rats: The principal carriers, spreading micro organism via their urine
- Dogs and home livestock: Including pigs, cows, and goats, which can carry and shed the micro organism
- Wildlife: Certain island wildlife species may also be carriers
Humans contract the illness once they come into contact with urine from contaminated animals, both straight or not directly via contaminated water, moist soil, or meals.
The micro organism can enter the human physique via:
- Cuts, abrasions, or macerated pores and skin
- Mucous membranes of the eyes, nostril, or mouth
- Consumption of contaminated water or meals
- Inhalation of droplets from contaminated water
The illness is most prevalent throughout the post-monsoon months (October–November), when heavy rainfall and flooding enhance environmental contamination, significantly in agricultural areas.
Leptospirosis is extremely harmful if left untreated. Early indicators, showing inside 1–7 days of an infection, embody:
- Muscle ache, particularly in calves and decrease again
- Red eyes (conjunctival suffusion), a attribute symptom
- Nausea, vomiting, dry cough, and stomach discomfort
If untreated, the an infection can progress to extreme problems akin to jaundice, kidney failure, bleeding problems, respiratory misery, and meningitis. Historical knowledge exhibits excessive fatality charges for untreated instances, highlighting the life-threatening nature of the illness.
Early therapy with antibiotics is important, and prevention is equally necessary. Residents can shield themselves by:
- Avoiding contact with floodwater and standing water
- Wearing protecting gear akin to gloves and rubber boots
- Covering cuts and abrasions with waterproof bandages
- Maintaining private hygiene, together with frequent hand and toes washing
- Drinking boiled or purified water
Community-level measures, akin to rodent management, correct waste disposal, and bettering drainage to scale back standing water, are additionally essential.
The current rise in instances, significantly in Laxmi Nagar Gram Panchayat, underscores the pressing want for consciousness applications. Many residents might not recognise the early signs or perceive the dangers related to contact with contaminated water or animals. Health authorities are urged to:
- Conduct village-level consciousness campaigns concentrating on farmers, fishermen, and different high-risk occupational teams
- Distribute instructional supplies in native languages explaining signs, dangers, and preventive measures
- Coordinate with panchayats to implement rodent management
- Promote chemoprophylaxis and private protecting measures throughout the post-monsoon season in high-risk people
Leptospirosis stays a critical illness, however it’s fully preventable and treatable when detected early. With heightened consciousness, correct preventive practices, and a proactive response from the well being division, the unfold in Great Nicobar will be managed, safeguarding the lives of residents in weak communities like Laxmi Nagar Gram Panchayat.
