Leptospirosis, hepatitis and cissa cherobicosis have risen sharply in Kerala over the past three years. The number of primary meningoencephalitis (PAM) cases and deaths have more than doubled over the past two years, with a large number of mumps reported even in 2024.
These are evaluated using data from the Health Department’s Comprehensive Disease Surveillance Program and information provided through RTI queries.
There were 3,525 confirmed cases of leptospirosis and 226 deaths in 2024. Possible cases and deaths were 2,479 and 166, respectively. There were 2,417 confirmed cases and 133 deaths in 2023. Possible cases and deaths were 2,769 and 149, respectively. In 2022, there were 2,482 confirmed cases and 121 confirmed deaths. Possible cases and deaths were 2,833 and 169, respectively.
Change mode
Public health expert KK Purushothaman noted that their patterns have changed compared to previous years due to the recent increase in deaths caused by Leptospirosis. “We need to explore the effects of fluids in dogs, cats and cattle, as well as the effects of transmission of infection in rats. In addition to agricultural workers and workers living in slums, people in urban areas are now infected. The late discovery is another problem that causes death.”
There were 7,966 hepatitis C and 84 deaths in 2024. Possible cases and deaths were 20,692 and 14, respectively. In comparison, confirmed cases and deaths in 2023 were 1,073 and 14, respectively. Possible cases and deaths were 3,508, and one was 1, respectively. In 2022, there were 231 confirmed cases and 894 possible cases, two confirmed deaths and one possible death. There were 74,908 cases of mumps in 2024, while the data for 2022 and 2023 did not.
Pam and Rabies
Another public health expert flag flags promote new or rarely reported infections, such as monkey pox. No cases of PAM were reported in Kerala in 2022. However, two PAM and two deaths were recorded in 2022. There were 38 and 8 deaths in 2024. Over the years, rabies cases have also increased. In 2022, there were 15 cases, with a large number of deaths, with 17 deaths and deaths in 2023 and 22 deaths last year.
As many as 119 Shigella dysentery infections and 1 death were reported in 2024. The corresponding figures for 2023 and 2022 are 90 and 1, and 83 and 4, respectively. Dr. Purushothaman claims that the cause of the disease has changed over the past decade. “New Shigella virus strains, such as Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei, have been reported. In many cases, doctors cannot identify it as a Shigella infection because only without blood or mucus, the disease quickly gets stuck. The disease develops rapidly in death. Deaths due to diarrhea are one number in the state, but for a long time.
publishing – April 19, 2025 08:24 pm ist
