Kerala braces for dengue, leptospirosis outbreaks as monsoon season arrives

The Hindu

24-05-2025

Kerala is bracing for yet another epidemic season as the Southwest monsoon settles in early, with the Health department issuing a warning that the threat of a spike in dengue and leptospirosis is real.
Seasonal epidemics of dengue fever and leptospirosis outbreaks during monsoon months has been a regular feature in the State since the past several decades.
All four serotypes of dengue virus are endemic in the State and while cases are reported throughout the year, Kerala has been experiencing explosive, cyclical outbreaks during the monsoon season since 2013.
Leptospirosis and water-borne diseases, especially hepatitis A, has been emerging as a major public health concern in the State in recent years and the change in weather conditions could aggravate the transmission of these diseases, health officials say.
The Health department stepped up its public health alerts on Saturday as soon as the arrival of Southwest monsoon was formally confirmed and all districts have been asked to augment preparatory measures.
All hospitals have been asked to be prepared for a hike in hospital admissions and to ensure adequate medicine stocks and supplies.
Many healthcare institutions are also preparing to face the threat of waterlogging and the Health department has also asked districts to be ready with alternate arrangements, in case rains intensify and low-lying areas get inundated.
Even though pre-monsoon cleaning activities are an annual feature in the State, the focus shifts to source reduction activities once rains begin.
The Health department stresses that while source reduction activities should be sustained, it is important that people take self-care measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites using insect repellants, protective clothing etc.
This is also the season when those engaged in farming, dairy farming activities as well as those who take up outdoor cleaning activities should necessarily use protective gumboots and gloves and consider taking doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent themselves from contracting leptospirosis.
Children as well as adults should ensure that they clean their hands and feet with soap if they wade into rain water. Children should be prevented from playing in stagnant rain pools.
The Health department has also issued a renewed warning to people that the drinking water should be boiled properly to prevent the possible transmission of hepatitis A infection. Contamination of water sources is a real possibility during rains and using only boiled water for drinking is a public health measure which can go a long way in preventing all water-borne diseases, including typhoid, cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases.
Hepatitis A can rapidly spread amongst household contacts of a diseased person and others with whom the individual interacts closely. Hence those who were diagnosed with hepatitis A and are now recovering, should maintain strict personal hygiene and stay away from handling food or vessels in the kitchen, health officials said.
All rain relief camps should follow the guidelines so that no infectious diseases outbreaks happen within camps, they said.