124 fever deaths in Kerala since June: T’puram worst hit with 1,951 cases on Sunday alone

Kerala is in the throes of a fever crisis with several deaths being reported from the state. On Sunday, the total number of deaths rose to 124, since June, with two more succumbing. Thiruvananthapuram continues to top the list in both fever and dengue cases.

This fever season has turned out to be more fatal with hospitals in Kerala witnessing a heavy influx of patients ever since the summer rains in May. Hospital wards flooded with patients have become a common sight. In government hospitals, patients can be seen even lying on the floor as there are not enough beds while private hospitals are also struggling to cope with the situation.

Dengue tops the list with largest number of deaths followed by Leptospirosis and Hepatitis B. The total number of dengue fever cases in the state this year as on Sunday was 8,937. While 73 deaths are suspected to have been caused by dengue, 17 deaths have been confirmed as dengue deaths.

As many as 1,951 fever cases and 124 suspected dengue fever cases were reported from Thiruvananthapuram district alone on Sunday, as per the data provided by Directorate of Health Services. Another 32 suspected cases of dengue were reported from Malappuram and 26 cases from Kozhikode. Meanwhile, 22 cases were reported from Alappuzha in which 11 cases were confirmed. There were 13 confirmed dengue fever cases from Thrissur, four from Wayanad and three from Kasargode. Eight suspected dengue cases were reported from Kannur and six from Kasargode. 

On Sunday, 10,085 persons with fever sought admission in various hospitals across the state. Among these, 355 people were admitted. As many as 227 people were suspected to have dengue out of which 31 cases were confirmed. Leptospirosis was suspected in three people and all the three were later confirmed.

On Saturday, 26,869 people sought treatment for fever and 901 patients were admitted in different hospitals. There were 885 suspected cases of dengue out of which 216 were confirmed. Suspected dengue fever cases from Thiruvananthapuram were 253 while 74 were confirmed. From Kozhikode, 164 dengue fever cases were reported out of which 45 were confirmed. Another 56 persons were confirmed with dengue from Kollam, where 93 suspected cases were reported. From Thrissur, 15 confirmed cases were reported. Ten leptospirosis cases and 35 H1N1 cases were also reported on Saturday. 

On Friday, the number of people who sought treatment for fever was 25,666, out of which 810 sought treatment for dengue. Out of these, 198 cases were confirmed. Hepatitis B was confirmed in three persons and leptospirosis was confirmed in seven persons. On June 27, the government had conducted a massive cleanliness campaign, as improper waste management is cited as the prime reason for the spread of the disease.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded resignation of Health minister KK Shylaja on moral grounds. BJP workers on Monday took out a march to the official residence of the minister blaming the government for failing to control the situation. 

Pics: Sreekesh Raveendran Nair