SURAT, AUG 17: Twelve more cases of suspected leptosyprosis, which has claimed 10 lives in last four days in the neighbouring Valsad district, were referred to the Valsad Civil Hospital on Sunday as the killer disease spread to Navsari. With this the number of persons afflicted by the disease rose to 49.

Teams of paramedics have taken up active surveillance in 30 villages of Valsad district where leptosyprosis has been a recurring feature in monsoon for the last three years. The State government has rushed a team of medical experts, including three nephrologists, from Ahmedabad's Kidney Institute along with dialysis sets, respirators and autoanalysers to Valsad.

Two teams of experts from Surat's New Civil Hospital, including head of Microbiology Department Dr Pratima Patel and Dr Vikas Desai of preventive and social medicine department, are also camping in Valsad, which has scant medical facilties. The authorities have shifted all suspected cases to a special ward set up in Valsad Civil Hospital. Patients from private hospitals in Valsad and affected areas from Chikhli, Vansda and Navsari talukas were also shifted to the Valsad hospital.

Till last evening the disease had afflicted 37 patients, 10 of whom died. Deputy director of Health (South Gujarat region) Dr Dhananjay Bhatt said though only one or two cases each were reported from 30 affected villages. He said, 21 blood samples were collected and sent to Surat New Civil Hospital for analysis.

The disease is spread through the urine of rat carrying leptosyprosis. Most of the victims are labourers who work in sugarcane fields infested by rats.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.