Kochi, India – In a revealing assessment of the state’s health challenges, Kerala has recorded the highest number of deaths from communicable diseases in India. Data from the Union government shows that between January 2021 and December 3, 2024, Kerala, with its population of approximately 33.4 million, witnessed 332 deaths due to these diseases, surpassing other larger states such as Maharashtra which reported 331 deaths despite having a population exceeding 100 million.
Kerala’s disproportionate number of fatalities is primarily attributed to diseases such as leptospirosis, which claimed 103 lives according to Union government statistics, while state-specific data indicates as many as 220 deaths in 2024 alone from this particular illness. These figures are preliminary and subject to revision following further laboratory testing and audits of reported deaths.
Environmental factors unique to Kerala, including its dense vegetation and numerous water bodies, contribute significantly to the spread of communicable diseases. A senior public health official explained that these natural features provide breeding grounds for disease carriers, complicating efforts to control outbreaks. Additionally, the state’s high population density exacerbates the situation, as diseases are more readily transmitted in closer quarters compared to the more dispersed communities found in northern India.
The rise in communicable disease cases is also linked to a decrease in disease resistance, driven by lifestyle changes that have eroded innate immunity. “Our lifestyle changes and increased comorbidities have weakened our natural defenses against these diseases,” the official noted, emphasizing the challenges in comparing Kerala with less densely populated states.
Historically, Kerala did not face outbreaks of dengue fever, chikungunya, and H1N1; however, these have now become permanent fixtures due to the region’s favorable climatic conditions. The official also pointed out that the rise in leptospirosis deaths could be attributed to inadequate preventive measures, such as the underutilization of distributed doxycycline tablets and delayed medical treatment by the affected populations.
Experts believe that the high number of reported fatalities in Kerala could also reflect the state’s robust healthcare system, which ensures thorough reporting and effective case finding. Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the IMA research cell in Kerala, credits the extensive healthcare infrastructure that spans the grassroots level for the state’s comprehensive disease surveillance. “Kerala’s healthcare system captures a higher fraction of the true disease burden compared to other states,” Dr. Jayadevan said. He also highlighted that widespread awareness and high literacy rates, particularly among women, enhance the reporting and management of health cases in Kerala.
This meticulous approach to healthcare, combined with societal attributes like vast access to medical services and a high degree of social empowerment, ensures that Kerala remains vigilant and responsive to public health challenges despite the high incidence of disease-related deaths.