42 dead due to rat fever in Kerala, 1,000 more diagnosed
At least 42 people have died due to rat fever (leptospirosis) since August 1 following the floods in Kerala, while 1,006 cases of the fever have reportedly been confirmed. Meanwhile, the state's health department has assured it has adequate supply of medications. Flooded areas are vulnerable to rat fever as it's spread through water contaminated by urine from infected animals.