Infectious disease fatalities more than double from pre-Covid levels

Leptospirosis drives surge in death toll; fatality rate of hepatitis A also sees notable increase

- UNNIKRISHNAN S @T'Puram

DEATHS from infectious diseases have more than doubled from pre-Covid levels, with 566 fatalities reported in 2024, up 140% from 234 in 2019.

While the death toll has gradually risen across the 20 or so categories of communicable diseases tracked by the health department, the significant rise in leptospirosis-related fatalities stands out. In 2024, leptospirosis accounted for nearly one-third of all deaths from infectious diseases. The fatality rate of hepatitis A has also seen a notable increase.

Public health experts are concerned about the heightened risk of post-Covid morbidity, alongside the rising death rate due to increased exposure to infectious environments.