They claim the medicines used are more effective and safe for farmers. According to District Development Officer Bharatbhai Joshi, as many as 42 teams are working in 52 villages of five affected talukas in the district to eliminate rodents, which play a considerable role in the spread of the killer disease that has claimed scores of lives over the last few years.

Health Minister Ashok Bhatt, who was in Surat recently, held a meeting with officials concerned and discussed at length the campaign to eradicate the disease from the region. Following reports that the chemicals used to kill rodents were affecting crops as well, the government has replaced them.

Joshi said the campaign would go on till May-end and Mahuva, Valod, Vyara, Bardoli and Songadh talukas would be covered under it. Chemicals worth Rs 6.35 would be used in the campaign.

The meeting hoped that effective steps like these would help bring the disease under control from the beginning. Should there be spread of the disease in spite of precautionery measures, the state government has made arrangements at community and public health centres, Joshi said.