Rat Fever (Leptospirosis) has claimed 118 lives in the last eight months while 3,960 patients have been reported. This is an alarming increase in patients with rat fever in the country. Only 34 deaths were reported in 2007 due to rat fever and the number of reported cases were 2,195, Deputy Director General, Public Health Services, Dr. P.G. Maheepala said. Addressing the press at the Epidemiology Unit, Colombo, yesterday Dr. Maheepala said 12 districts had been affected by the epidemic while 26 deaths were reported from Peradeniya, while four deaths were reported from Colombo. The number of deaths reported from Wathupitivala is 13. Statistics have been taken from 16 State hospitals and according to the statistics the epidemic has affected Gampaha, Kegalle, Matale, Matara and several other districts. Emerging high risk areas are Anuradhapura and Ratnapura, he said. The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken steps to control the epidemic. Drugs have been sent to hospitals and all Government Health institutions. Awareness programmes have been conducted for farmer organisations and other vulnerable groups, he added. According to the Acting Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Paba Palihawadana, farmers, drain cleaners, persons working in mines, marsh lands, canals and persons who swim or play in contaminated water should contact the PHI or MOH and obtain Doxycychine tablets.