Malappuram: At least five persons died in Kerala on Friday due to fever, indicate reports from the health department.

Three of the deceased had contracted rat fever while dengue is suspected in the death of one person.

Meanwhile, the health department confirmed the recent deaths of an elderly man and his son at Ponnani in Malappuram district were due to rat fever.

Suresh (44) died on June 24 while his father Vasu -- both farmers -- succumbed to fever three days later.

Both of them were admitted to the Medical College Hospital in Thrissur with symptoms of rat fever.

The two were possibly infected while working in the fields. The health department has collected the samples from relatives of the deceased.

According to health department data, 12,965 persons took treatment for fever in the state hospitals on Friday. Of these, 96 persons were confirmed with dengue and six with rat fever. At least 239 others have shown symptoms of dengue.

Kerala has been witnessing a spike in fever in recent weeks. Malappuram district reported the majority of cases so far.