Current Status of Communicable Diseases – International, National and Kerala Scenarios

Communicable diseases (CDs) are illnesses caused by certain contagiousagents that spread from infected people, animals or contaminatedenvironments to exposed individuals. Transmission can occur directly orindirectly through various methods, including contact, air-borne particles,contaminated objects, or intermediary organisms. CDs are the mostimportant cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Infectiousdiseases, once the leading public health issue in developed nations,have become less prevalent. However, the advent of new infectiousdiseases poses new threats, while communicable diseases continue tobe a major health issue in developing countries. Kerala has experiencedan alarming rise in morbidity and mortality due to communicablediseases during the past decade. The state has encountered periodicoutbreaks of various infectious diseases, including Nipah, West Nile,and Zika viruses. Additionally, the emergence of Primary AmoebicMeningoencephalitis (PAM) as a public health threat and the endemicstatus of dengue and leptospirosis in all fourteen districts emphasisethe rising challenges in disease control. Communicable disease controlrequires a multi-faceted approach including vigilant surveillance, rapiddetection, and thorough investigation. Promoting good hygiene practicesthrough IEC and BCC, as well as providing prompt treatment, care andsupport to affected individuals are essential components. This paperoffers a thorough examination of communicable diseases worldwide,in India, and specifically in Kerala. How to cite this article:Rajendran R, Anusree S B, Sasi M S, Devi D S, ReguK. Current Status of Communicable Diseases –International, National and Kerala Scenarios. JCommun Dis. 2025;57(1):167-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202522