9 dead due to rat fever in Kerala floods, 37 more suspected
Nine people have died due to rat fever (leptospirosis) in Kerala since August 15 and 37 suspected deaths are awaiting laboratory confirmation, state Health Minister KK Shailaja said. Nearly 200 confirmed cases have been reported in the state. Flooded areas are vulnerable to rat fever, which is most commonly spread through water contaminated by urine from infected animals.