Rat density and related factors in leptospirosis among waste workers in India: An evaluation

Pikram Patel

Department of Environmental Science, University of Chennai, Chennai, India

 

Ayesha Khan

Department of Public Health, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

 

Sanjay Ali

Primary Health Centre, Mylapore, Chennai, India

 

Hassan Singh

Department of Zoology, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

 

Meena Kumar

Pubic Health Institute of Delhi, Delhi, India

 

* Corresponding author.

Email address : Pikram.patel@universityofchennai.edu

Address: Department of Environmental Science, University of Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - 600005

 

 

Abstract

 

Background: Rats are the main source of Leptospira contamination in tropical nations like India, where leptospirosis is a serious health risk. There aren't many previous studies that evaluated rat density in Leptospirosis endemic areas using the Bi-index. In order to track rat density and related variables in urban Leptospirosis endemic areas, this study will use the Bi-index.

 

Methods: Based on leptospirosis data from the Primary Health Centre, Mylapore, four endemic areas of Chennai City were chosen as study sites. Over the course of three days, live traps were set up in one case house and 39–49 nearby homes within a 100-meter radius. Rats that had been trapped were gathered in order to identify the species, assess their morphometrics, compute their rat indices, and calculate the Bi-index. Meanwhile, environmental parameters were observed.

 

Results: People, aged 23–75, working in private employment made up 76.2% of the participants. With the Bi, diversity, dominance, and evenness indices of 0.02- 0.32, 0.94-1.09, 0.36-0.44, and 0.79-0.96, respectively, the range of trap success was 2.5–26.5%. Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, and Mus musculus were among the trapped species, with percentages of 61.3%, 34.1%, and 4.7%, respectively. Rats were linked to a number of factors, including being close to the stagnant Cooum River, regular flooding, water entering homes during floods, open trash cans, and trash cans surrounding homes.

 

Conclusion: There was a correlation between Chennai City's rat density (dominated by R. norvegicus), water drainage, and waste management. Consequently, it is advised to conduct additional research to identify Leptospira bacterial infection in rodents.

 

Kyes words: Leptospirosis, Rat density, Bi-index, Urban endemic areas, Environmental factors, Rattus norvegicus public health

 

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