KOTA KINABALU: Rat population growth in Sabah must be curbed to prevent the spread of the highly contagious leptospirosis disease to humans in the State, said Infectious Disease Consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr Timothy William.
He said Sabah is facing a major rat population problem and rats are reservoirs of leptospirosis that can cause infection in humans.
“If you can see rats during daytime, it means that the rat population is very high.
“The rat population is high where there is food to eat, where the overall hygiene is poor, rubbish left uncollected, stagnant water and poor sewage system,” he explained.
He said humans can get infected with leptospirosis when we cook and eat with kitchen utensils, plates, pots and pans which are contaminated with rat urine.
This year alone, a total of 438 leptospirosis cases with a number of deaths have been reported in Sabah, an increase from 367 cases last year.
“It is a misconception that only people in villages and jungle areas can get leptospirosis.
“We are seeing people in housing areas in Kota Kinabalu, where people think are clean, being infected with this disease because of the population of rats and rodents,” said Dr Timothy.
He pointed out that many housing areas in Kota Kinabalu were located next to squatter colonies with poor sewage and drainage systems, lack of clean water supply and uncollected rubbish. These contribute to the proliferation of rats.
Dr Timothy said the number of leptospirosis cases had risen in the entire country and there are several factors contributing to this, including our wet and warm climate, increase in urbanization, increasing number of urban population, poor sanitation and lack of proper drainage, especially in squatter houses and water villages.
Hence, he said it was of utmost importance for the public to keep their living environment clean with proper drainage and sewage systems. The public should also ensure their neighbours’ houses are clean to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Households should make sure their utensils are washed properly and watch out for signs of rodents.
“If you see rat droppings, get pest control to deal with it,” he urged, adding that rubbish should be kept in a bin, and not be exposed because it can attract rats.
Dr Timothy lamented that there is a lack of awareness of leptospirosis among the public and ways that one can get infected with the disease.
“The public needs to be aware of the seriousness of rat infestation in their houses and in restaurants, as well as public places where they eat and where food is stored, like supermarkets.
“People should demand much more higher standard of hygiene from restaurants and eateries, (frequent) rubbish collection and (proper) drainage system,” he said.
According to him, the Ministry of Health is doing its best to control the spread of leptospirosis by giving health education to the public and visiting houses where there are reported cases of the disease to look for evidence of rat population, rat droppings, lay traps and test soil and rats for leptospirosis.
However, Dr Timothy said tackling this disease requires a multidisciplinary approach with different government agencies.
City Hall and district councils must control rat population and view rubbish collection seriously.
“There must be proper rubbish collection, drainage and sewage system in urban areas.
“Rubbish that are accumulated, especially during public holidays, provide food for the rats,” he said.
At the same time, communities should practise cleanliness now before someone in their household gets infected with leptospirosis.
“The bacteria does not discriminate between squatter and non-squatter houses, educated or non-educated people, rich or poor.
“Anyone who is exposed to the disease can get infected,” he cautioned.