Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 12,998 people sought treatment for fever in the state on Saturday. Two dengue deaths were recorded in Kollam. With this, the death toll due to dengue has reached 50 this year. 

According to the Health Department, two others lost their lives suffering from rat fever in Kollam and Malappuram on Saturday. That is, a total of 83 people died due to rat fever in Kerala this year. 

In Malappuram, around 2024 people sought treatment for fever in various hospitals. The numbers went beyond 1,000 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Palakkad districts too. 

Also, nine people were diagnosed with H1N1 fever in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Wayanad. Whereas, 22 people sought treatment for rat fever across districts and one person got infected with scrub typhus (chellu pani) in Kozhikode. 

A total of 378 people, 75 from Ernakulam alone, sought treatment for dengue fever on Saturday in Kerala. Of them, 55 were tested positive. 

Meanwhile, a review meeting led by Ministers K Rajan and Veena George decided to convene review meetings led by MLAs in all constituencies over the fever surge. 

Local government bodies have been directed to ensure proper functioning of prevention committees in all wards. The Health Department has also directed private hospitals not to levy heavy fees and follow treatment protocols. District collectors were also instructed in this regard.