As of 31 July 2026, Kerala had reported 1’394 confirmed leptospirosis cases and 63 confirmed deaths, alongside 932 suspected cases and 53 suspected deaths, for a combined total of 2’326 cases and 116 deaths. July alone recorded 415 confirmed cases and 30 deaths, with multiple deaths reported daily in the final week.
Cases were reported across at least 10 districts, indicating widespread state-wide transmission. Death audit data show the highest mortality among manual laborers, followed by agricultural workers and homemakers, with most deaths occurring in people aged 40–69 years.
Health officials also report leptospirosis now accounts for over half of communicable disease deaths in Kerala, with the case fatality rate increasing to 6% in recent years. In response, the Kerala Centre for Disease Control (K-CDC) has updated guidelines to recommend extended doxycycline prophylaxis for workers throughout their occupational exposure period.
Risk for travellers is low.
Wear waterproof protective clothing and boots when wading through water and cover any cuts or scratches with waterproof bandages. A vaccine for travellers is not available.