Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala health department has issued an alert as reports emerged of the spread of rat fever in the flood-ravaged state. A death has been confirmed from the disease, while another death has been suspected to have happened from it.

P V George (Vakkachan), a 62-year-old retired panchayat secretary, died of rat fever at Kadanad, Kottayam district. Shyamkumar, a 33-year-old autorickshaw driver, who was active in relief work, died of the same symptoms in Alappuzha district. He was a resident of Chingoli, Nangyarkulangara on the western coast of the state.

Meanwhile, the death of CPM worker SV Shibu of Shankaramangalam at Nadubhagam, Nedumudi, Alappuzha district, is suspected to be from rat fever as he had the symptoms of the deadly disease. His medical report cited infection to internal organs.

The possibility of rat fever, a zoonotic disease, is high during flooding. Urine from infected rat can contaminate water and pass on to human beings. On August 28, the Directorate of Health Services issued an alert, saying that there is a sudden increase in the disease in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur districts.

A total of 190 rat fever cases have been confirmed in August across the state, out of 464 people admitted to hospitals with suspected infection. Six people have sought treatment in Alappuzha district for the disease. Two cases were reported from Kollam district. In Ernakulam district, with 11 people seeking medical attention for it on Thursday alone. Most of these cases are from flood-affected areas.

Seven rat fever cases have been reported from Pathanamthitta district, while two people have been hospitalised in Idukki. Two cases have been confirmed in Thrissur.

Leptospirosis, which is a rare bacterial infection, is contracted from animals. It is spread through their urine, especially of dogs, rodents, and farm animals.

George will be buried at 2 pm Friday at St Augustine's Forane Church at Kadanad. He is survived by his wife Valsamma, children Sneha, Geo and Neena and son-in-law Dileep Kunnel.

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