Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has recorded a 19% increase in viral fever cases since June 1 compared to the same monsoon period last year, according to data from the state Health Department. The number of dengue cases has risen by nearly 20%, while diarrhoea cases have increased by 38%.

Between June 1 and July 15, 2025, a total of 4,00,226 people sought treatment for fever. During the corresponding period in 2026, the figure climbed to 4,78,928.

Dengue cases increased from 3,120 last year to 3,742 this year, marking a 19.9% rise. However, the number of dengue-related deaths remained unchanged at 9 in both years.

Waterborne and foodborne diseases have also shown an upward trend. Diarrhoea cases rose from 90,379 to 1,24,833, while influenza cases more than tripled, increasing from 1,059 to 3,310.

The sharpest rise was seen in shigella infections, which surged from 24 cases last year to 285 this year.

Meanwhile, the state reported a decline in leptospirosis (rat fever) and hepatitis A. Leptospirosis cases dropped from 578 to 509, with deaths falling from 41 to 27. Hepatitis A cases decreased from 1,834 to 1,140, while deaths declined from 13 to 8.

Health officials said Kerala has been witnessing a seasonal rise in viral fevers, mosquito-borne diseases, and waterborne infections since the onset of the monsoon in June.