Kerala recorded 3,259 confirmed cases of leptospirosis and 209 deaths between January 1 and December 5, 2025, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Thiruvananthapuram Tops District-Wise Case Count
Providing district-wise details, Mr. Nadda stated that Thiruvananthapuram reported the highest number of cases at 583 among Kerala’s 14 districts. Ernakulam followed with 492 cases, while Thrissur recorded 340 cases during the same period.
State Governments Lead Disease Surveillance and Response
Mr. Nadda emphasised that public health falls under the State list. Therefore, the primary responsibility for disease surveillance, reporting, and response rests with the respective State governments. He reiterated that the figures were reported by the Kerala government.
Leptospirosis Remains Endemic and Monsoon-Linked
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira, remains endemic in Kerala. The disease commonly shows a seasonal surge during the monsoon months due to increased exposure to contaminated water.
National Programme Strengthens Prevention and Control
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry, through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), continues to implement the Programme for Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis (PPCL). The programme currently covers 12 endemic States and two Union Territories.
As reported by The Hindu, the initiative aims to reduce illness and deaths from leptospirosis by strengthening surveillance and diagnostic capacity, ensuring early detection and timely treatment, improving patient care, building workforce capacity, and enhancing inter-sectoral coordination.
Training, Surveillance, and Laboratory Support Expanded
As part of the programme, the Ministry has rolled out several key initiatives. These include training State and district-level healthcare professionals, sensitising private practitioners through continuing medical education programmes, and conducting annual hands-on laboratory training.
In addition, authorities have strengthened public health laboratories and established 75 sentinel surveillance sites across the country. Notably, five of these sites operate in Kerala under the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonosis.
Financial and Technical Support Through National Health Mission
Furthermore, under the National Health Mission, the Union Health Ministry provides technical and financial assistance to States to strengthen healthcare systems. This support depends on proposals submitted by States in their Programme Implementation Plans and remains subject to prescribed norms and the availability of resources.