Mix-up in reporting of cholera cases exposes communication breakdown in Kerala health department.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan’s statement confirming two cholera cases in Palakkad district on Saturday (June 13, 2026) caused confusion, apparently due to a communication breakdown at the Health Department headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

The confusion centered on two patients being treated at PK Das Medical College, Vaniyamkulam, whose cases were reported by the District Medical Officer Rosh TV as suspected cholera infection. Subsequent tests ruled out cholera in both cases.

However, Mr Muraleedharan said two cases of cholera were reported from Vythiri in Palakkad. Interestingly, there is no place named Vythiri in the district.

“I don’t know how these cases were reported as positive. There may have been a communication breakdown at some point,” said Dr. Rosh.

Doctors close to Dr. The Roshs expressed concern that media reports portraying him as at odds with the health minister could cause friction and potentially trigger retaliation against him.

Dengue death

Meanwhile, a 62-year-old woman died of dengue in Karimpuzha near Mannarkkad on Saturday. Maria, widow of the late Mohamedál, initially sought treatment for fever at the family health center in Elambulassery.

When her condition deteriorated on Friday, she was referred to the Government Taluk Hospital in Mannarkkad and later to the Government District Hospital in Palakkad. However, her relatives admitted her to a private hospital in Vattambalam where she was put on ventilator support. She died early Saturday.

Published – 13 Jun 2026 20:28 IST