One of the 18 rat fever patients from Minuwangoda died.

Eighteen leptospirosis patients and one death have been reported from flood-affected areas in the Minuwangoda division. Dr. Dayan Samarasekara, Additional Medical Officer of Health at the Minuwangoda Medical Officer of Health office, stated this.

Dr. Samarasekara pointed out that these patients or the deceased person are not farmers, but rather individuals who had entered and frequented floodwaters during recent inundations. The person who lost their life is a 58-year-old resident of the Asgiriya area, and the other patients are individuals over 50 years of age.

These patients have mainly been reported from flood-affected areas in the Minuwangoda division, including Asgiriya, Kotugoda, Opatha, and surrounding areas.

Dr. Dayan Samarasekara strongly emphasizes that as a measure to protect against leptospirosis, it is mandatory to take the free medicine before entering swamps, floodwaters, reservoirs, or drainage systems, as well as before working in unsafe areas frequented by rats. He further states that this preventive medicine can be obtained free of charge from Public Health Inspectors (PHI) or the local Medical Officer of Health office.