Long-tailed, intelligent and sleek, and not forgetting, dirty too. A rat may be just a pesky rodent to you, not until you know what diseases it may carry. The silent killer that is the creature, causes rat fever or leptospirosis, an infection transmitted to a victim via water or soil when they come into contact with the contaminated urine of rats that carry the disease.

Contrary to common belief, the disease is not new in Malaysia as the first case dates back to 1925. Retrospective studies conducted have also shown that the mild or fatal disease was common among soldiers in the 1950s and citizens alike. Since then, it has been reported that there has been a significant increase in the number of cases in recent years.

The number of incidences in Malaysia is estimated to be between 2– 5 people per 100,000 population. However, there is still a low amount of awareness by the Ministry of Health to overcome this fatal disease because it does not surpass the cases of those who are affected by the more popular dengue fever.

Prominent Cases Of Leptospirosis In Our Country

In 2012, fans mourned over the loss of Malaysian singer and television host, Izwan Pilus. The 32-year-old died a heartbreaking death in the Ampang Hospital, after contracting leptospirosis.

Following a camping trip in Bukit Bakar, Machang, Kelantan last year, 17-year-old Maahad Tahfiz Darul Anuar sadly passed away of leptospirosis while 10 of his peers who were on the same trip only suffered from normal fever with minor upper respiratory tract infection. He was referred to Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) when his condition became serious but died at the hospital's intensive care unit three weeks later.

A similar case happened last October, when a female student in Labuan Matriculation College (LMC) was admitted to the Nucleus Hospital after she suffered from vomitting, stomach ache, fever and diarrhea, but her condition became critical and she reportedly died of the disease a few days later.

Earlier this month in Kedah, 8-year-old girl Amirah Maisarah Zir Omar Khan, died at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital after she was admitted to the intensive care unit after being diagnosed with leptospirosis. The hospital also conducted tests for dengue and the initial results were negative, and had learnt that the girl and her family had played in the water at a recreation centre, which was reported to be contaminated with rat urine in Yan 12 days before she fell ill.

Another surprising news broke last week when Syazreen Qamar, National Sepak Takraw star player was reportedly in a critical condition and admitted to the Tuanku Jafaar Hospital in Seremban, suffering from what has been confirmed to be leptospirosis, after allegedly bathing in a waterfall.

The Public Plays A Huge Contribution To The Disease

As incidences continue to rise, we further investigate this situation and found that the public are taking matters lightly and are not closely monitoring their premises resulting to poor hygiene, which may be a contributing factor to the disease. Malaysian Digest uncovers these truths with observations throughout some premises in the Klang Valley.

During our investigation, our reporter found that there were three food premises and three residential areas that are unhygienic with rats spotted running around.

In these unhygienic food premises, we found that the kitchen floors were soiled and grubby with food waste strewn everywhere. Similarly, in the residential areas, there were no proper disposal system for rubbish which led to irresponsible residents tossing garbage everywhere. Both observations were a clear open invitation to become a rat breeding ground, and a huge risk that could affect the health of the public.

Rat Fever: Malaysia’s Silent Killer? http://ow.ly/G1vzW

leptospirosis is indeed dangerous, but if it is detected early it can be treated. Thanks for sharing this info