An explosion of dengue cases—159 confirmed and 295 probable cases—in a single day on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) from across districts could be a sign of how the infectious disease scenario in the State is likely to evolve in the next few weeks, underlining the importance of State-wide intensive vector control measures.

Going by the State’s past experience with dengue outbreaks and the current spell of intermittent monsoon rains followed by warm spells, which aid faster vector breeding, case numbers could spike sharply over the next few weeks.

Palakkad (47), Kozhikode (31), and Ernakulam (24) have reported the maximum number of cases. Two dengue deaths—one confirmed from Malappuram and another probable from Palakkad—were also reported on Tuesday.

Leptospirosis cases

Leptospirosis cases also continue to be reported at a steady rate, with 22 cases and three deaths, including a probable leptospirosis death, reported by the Health department.

Respiratory diseases, including Covid, influenza A and B and RSV are in co-circulation in the community and it has been claiming many lives, especially that of senior citizens. In the month of June alone, 1,569 cases and 16 deaths were reported. On Tuesday, a total of 109 cases of influenza was reported, including a death due to Influenza A H1N1.

Shigellosis

There seems to be no let up in shigellosis cases either, with 15 cases reported from five districts on Tuesday.

Kozhikode reported eight cases, Malappuram three, Wayanad two cases, and Kannur and Kollam districts reported one case each. A total of 165 cases and six deaths have been reported in June alone.

Though shigellosis cases are reported sporadically from all districts, the Health department has declared outbreaks in Kozhikode (57 cases), Wayanad (22), Thrissur (12), and Alappuzha (3).

It is not easy to control once an outbreak is established because the disease is highly infectious and spreads rapidly across households through careless management of patients with shigellosis.

Good hygiene, especially proper handwashing and practices like drinking only boiled water can actually solve half the problems, Health officials say.