Spatial temporal variation of leptospirosis disease in Madurai city – Medico-geographical analysis

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The bacteria are typically found in animals, including rodents, farm animals, and dogs. Humans become infected when water or soil contaminated with the bacteria come into contact with their eyes, mouth, nose, or open cuts on the skin. It is also possible to be infected through rodent bites and drinking contaminated water. Leptospirosis it continues to remain as an important public health problem in Madurai city. The study area, Madurai is the oldest and second largest city in Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of river Vaigai in south central part of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on 90 30’ and 100 30’ longitudes and between 770 00’and 780 30 latitudes. The broader objective of this study is to analyse the spatio temporal variation noticed between different unit areas of study area. The collected data includes both primary and secondary source. Standard score (Z-score) technique, is used to synthese the relationship between the sets of variables and total conditions of selected urban environmental variables. It includes mapping of the disease using the GIS software of Arc GIS. The study’s social aspect of leptospirosis with reference to selected socio-economic determinants and suggests suitable preventive measures.