The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) As per the attachment, based on data compiled from bed head tickets of in-ward patients in government hospitals, from 2015 to 2024 the following have been recorded for leptospirosis.

¶ 03 Number hospitalized and reported deaths due to leptospirosis, 2015-2024: 2015: 10,036 hospitalized; 264 deaths 2016: 7,681; 155 2017: 8,428; 173 2018: 11,586; 202 2019: 13,424; 228 2020: 17,433; 198 2021: 18,618; 281 2022: 17,025; 311 2023: 19,651; 325 2024*: 20,200; 300 *As reported up to 15.09.2025

¶ 04 (ii) Measures to control leptospirosis:

¶ 05 1. Establishment of a National Guideline Committee under the Director-General of Health Services to provide state-level guidance, oversight, policies and directives.

¶ 06 2. Establishment of District Guideline Committees co-chaired by the District Secretary and the Regional Director of Health Services to plan, coordinate and analyze preparedness programmes at district level. Twelve high-risk districts have been identified: Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Gampaha and Monaragala.

¶ 07 3. Establishment of a multi-sectoral expert committee with four subcommittees of specialist physicians to provide necessary guidance for prevention, control and treatment.

¶ 08 4. Public awareness through media: State-supported awareness via radio/TV prior to Yala and Maha cultivation seasons and before the monsoon.

¶ 09 5. Community awareness via posters and leaflets.

¶ 10 6. Early chemoprophylaxis: Provision of doxycycline prophylaxis; ensuring access and encouraging uptake through awareness.

¶ 11 7. Hospital mortality reviews for leptospirosis to identify causes of death and strengthen treatment and guidance; this is the best way to prevent deaths.

¶ 12 8. Updating clinical guidelines based on latest evidence with inputs from technical subcommittees and medical specialists.

¶ 13 9. Training and awareness for medical officers to improve surveillance reports and case management to minimize deaths and complications.

¶ 14 10. Research: Implement studies on animal reservoirs, climatic conditions and environmental factors, as global knowledge on leptospirosis spread is limited.

¶ 15 11. WHO recognition of leptospirosis as a priority neglected disease: Sri Lanka will propose to the 2025 World Health Assembly to recognize it as a priority neglected disease.

¶ 16 (b) Does not arise.