Kerala Govt launches awareness campaign to prevent spread of Leptospirosis

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has launched an awareness campaign to prevent the spread of leptospirosis, as cases are increasing due to heavy rains, State Health Minister Veena George announced on Friday.

Veena George said, "Now it is raining heavily in Kerala. There are cases of leptospirosis but now we expect the cases of leptospirosis to increase. We are running an awareness campaign to stop it. So far we have spent Rs 4687 crores for free treatment. According to NITI Aayog, we have the best ratio of doctor-patient data", reports news agency ANI.

Addressing concerns about medical negligence, she denied any such cases in Kerala and highlighted that the Union government has recognized Kerala for providing the highest number of free treatments in the country.

"Some cases have been reported in Kerala and we are observing it seriously. During Covid every single death in Kerala was reported," she further added.

The Kerala Disaster Management Authority has issued a forecast for moderate rainfall in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram on Friday. Light rainfall is anticipated in the remaining districts of Kerala.

According to the latest update from the authority, "Moderate rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts, while light rainfall is likely at one or two places in all other districts of Kerala."

According to an ANI report, Earlier Health Minister Veena George announced the activation of the State Control Room in the Health Department Directorate to bolster epidemic prevention efforts due to heavy rains. Health workers and the public can contact the control room at 0471-2302160, 9946102865, and 9946102862.

She further informed that the Control Room will manage epidemic prevention coordination, data management, hospital services, drug availability, protocols, and incident response.