Leptospirosis Epidemic Overtakes Gujarat

Leptospirosis has reached epidemic proportions in Gujarat according to the government there although they have denied any outbreak of plague in any part of flood-ravaged Surat. Quoting the final report from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, State Health Secretary Amarjit Singh, Delhi, said that all tests that were carried out on the human and rodent samples for plague as well as for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, also transmitted by rodents, had been found negative.

NICD Director-General Shiv Lal sent the report. The report however, confirmed the spread of leptospirosis in Gujarat.

Mr. Singh has said that the eight deaths in the city over the last three days were caused by leptospirosis. 30 patients have been hospitalized with 17 of them having tested positive for leptospirosis. The remaining 13 are believed to be suffering from some viral fever.

He said, "But there is no question of plague or Hantavirus in Surat and I am saying this with responsibility."

Chief Minister Narendra Modi criticized a section of the media for scaring people with "baseless reports."