KOCHI: With the onset of the monsoon, leptospirosis cases have surged in Ernakulam, with 22 suspected and confirmed cases reported between June 14 and 18 alone, and one death — a 71-year-old man from Kakkanad.
The district, known for its waterlogged and marshy terrain, had recorded only 6 cases in the first five days of June. That figure jumped to 10 between June 5–10, and again to 10 more in just the next three days — indicating a sudden and alarming rise in infections as rainfall intensified.
Hotspots of infection include Varapuzha, Maradu, Fort Kochi, Nedumbassery, Nettoor, Kalamassery, Puthuvype, and Chalikkavattom, according to district medical authorities.
People who come into contact with floodwaters, especially with cuts or wounds, face a higher risk. Though health workers are distributing doxycycline tablets as a preventive measure, compliance remains poor. “Many residents take the tablets but don’t actually consume them,” a health official said.
Patients are now showing atypical symptoms like body pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, instead of just fever, and their condition often deteriorates quickly — particularly if they rely on self-medication like paracetamol instead of seeking timely care.
In Varapuzha, where waterlogging has lasted over 1.5 months, panchayat president Kochurani Joseph said locals believe the flooding is linked to NH construction and canal reclamation, leading to resistance against preventive medication. Residents are demanding restoration of natural drainage before they cooperate with health measures.
Meanwhile, officials also warned of a possible rise in hepatitis A cases due to ongoing water contamination.