Concern as Ernakulam district records five leptospirosis deaths in July

The health situation in Ernakulam remains a matter of concern, with the district recording five leptospirosis deaths in the first 13 days of July, the highest in the State. The deaths were reported from Kalamassery, Kuttampuzha, Kadayiruppu, Pattimattom, and Udyogamandal.

The district continues to report a high number of infectious disease cases this month, with influenza cases remaining the highest in the State. As of July 13, Ernakulam had reported 392 influenza cases. The district also recorded 536 suspected and 252 confirmed cases of dengue, along with five suspected and 19 confirmed cases of leptospirosis.

The remaining leptospirosis deaths were reported from Palakkad, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kottayam, with one death reported from each district.

Dengue cases have been reported from Aluva, Cheranalloor, Edappally, Edathala, Kadavanthra, Kalamassery, Kaloor, Kothamangalam, Nedumbassery, Parakkadavu, Perumbavoor, Piravom, Eroor, Thrikkakara, and Thripunithura, among other parts of Ernakulam district.

A district Health official said that an epidemic prevention action plan titled ‘Arogyabheri’ was launched a week ago in the wake of the rise in communicable diseases.

“Diseases are on the rise, and we need effective intervention from all quarters. The epidemic prevention action plan has been launched in view of this, and its activities are under way. Once it is implemented across the local self-government bodies, we expect a perceptible decline in the number of cases,” added the health official.

The death reported in Kalamassery was that of an 18-year-old migrant worker from Assam. Kalamassery municipality health standing committee chairperson Anju Manoj Mani said the municipality had distributed preventive medicines in the wake of the death.

“Medicines have been distributed as a precautionary measure. We are planning to raise awareness among migrant workers about the need to seek medical attention at the earliest if they develop symptoms such as fever,” added Ms. Anju.