Parliament Question: Cases of Leptospirosis in Kerala

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 184 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH DECEMBER, 2025 CASES OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN KERALA *184. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the surge in leptospirosis cases and related deaths in various districts of Kerala and if so, the details thereof, district-wise;

(b) whether nearly 6,000 cases and 400 deaths have been reported in the State till 15 November 2025, alone and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is a fact that leptospirosis has become one of the most vexing and lethal infectious disease which claims a significant number of lives every year in Kerala and if so, the details thereof along with the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide aid to Kerala to tackle this deadly disease and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a)to (d) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLYTO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 184 FOR 12TH DECEMBER, 2025

(a) to (d) As Public Health is a state subject, the primary responsibility of surveillance, reporting and response of disease lies with the state government. As reported by state government of Kerala there are 3259 confirmed leptospirosis cases and 209 deaths from 1st January 2025 till 5th December 2025. District wise distribution of cases & deaths due to Leptospirosis as reported by Kerala government is Annexed.

Leptospirosis is endemic in Kerala and has been associated with monsoon seasons.

The Ministry through National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is implementing Programme for Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis (PPCL) across 12 endemic States and 2 Union Territories (Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh,West Bengal,andtheUnion Territories of Andaman&NicobarIslands and Dadra&NagarHaveliandDaman&Diu).

The programme aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to Leptospirosis through strengthened surveillance and diagnostics, early detection and treatment, improved patient care, capacity building, and enhanced inter-sectoral coordination.

Initiatives under the programme include training of State and District healthcare professionals, sensitization of private practitioners through Continuous Medical Education programmes, annual hands-on laboratory training, strengthening of the State Public Health Laboratory (including at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) and establishment of 75 sentinel surveillance sites (including 5 at Kerala) nationwide under the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonosis.

Information, Education, Communication (IEC) material, e-learning modules, operational guidelines, standardized real-time reporting formats aligned with IDSP–IHIP, seasonal advisories, and media-based event surveillance are also in place. The details can be accessed at the following links;

 (https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advisory-Leptospir osis-DGHS-DO-letter-May2025.pdf)  https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/programe-for-prevention-and-control-of-leptospir osis/ Under National Health Mission, the Ministry provides technical and financial support to States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare systems based on the proposals submitted by them in their Program Implementation Plans, subject to norms & availability of resources.Annexure-I District wise Leptospirosis cases and deaths due to the disease in Kerala (Jan 2025 till 5th Dec 2025).

No. of confirmed cases No. of confirmed deaths Thiruvananthapuram 583 15 Kollam 164 9 Pathanamthitta 209 3 Idukki 93 10 Kottayam 117 9 Alappuzha 155 10 Ernakulam 492 30 Thrissur 340 36 Palakkad 198 17 Malappuram 275 20 Kozhikode 242 19 Wayanad 82 12 Kannur 215 14 Kasargode 94 5 Total 3259 209

Source: Government of Kerala ****