Drive against rats

SURAT, May 23: Authorities in Surat, Navsari and Valsad districts have begun an exercise to eliminate rats as a precautionary measure ahead of monsoon, the time when the deadly leptospirosis disease raises head in the region.

They claim the medicines used are more effective and safe for farmers. According to District Development Officer Bharatbhai Joshi, as many as 42 teams are working in 52 villages of five affected talukas in the district to eliminate rodents, which play a considerable role in the spread of the killer disease that has claimed scores of lives over the last few years.

Health Minister Ashok Bhatt, who was in Surat recently, held a meeting with officials concerned and discussed at length the campaign to eradicate the disease from the region. Following reports that the chemicals used to kill rodents were affecting crops as well, the government has replaced them.

Joshi said the campaign would go on till May-end and Mahuva, Valod, Vyara, Bardoli and Songadh talukas would be covered under it. Chemicals worth Rs 6.35 would be used in the campaign.

The meeting hoped that effective steps like these would help bring the disease under control from the beginning.