Authorities issue caution as Kozhikode grapples with rat fever; toll reaches 14

Days after the deadly Nipah virus, Kozhikode district is now battling leptospirosis as the virus has claimed 14 lives so far in the district. The deasease outbroke after the floods that badly hit the state recently.

As far as Kozhikode district is concerned, it was least affected by the floods but the maximum number of leptospirosis deaths are reported from the district.

Compared to the previous year when only two deaths were reported, this year's outbreak seems to be severe in the district. At least 161 suspected cases were reported last year. In 2017, 80 deaths were reported due to leptospirosis in the state.

District Medical Officer (DMO) V Jaishree confirmed that four more people died in Kozhikode on Saturday due to leptospirosis.