A statement by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan confirming two cholera cases in Palakkad district caused confusion on June 13, 2026, apparently due to a communication lapse at the health department headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The issue involved two patients treated at P.K. Das Medical College in Vaniyamkulam. District Medical Officer Rosh T.V. had reported them as suspected cholera cases, but follow-up tests ruled out the disease in both instances.
The minister referred to cases from Vythiri in Palakkad, though no such place exists in the district.
Dr. Rosh expressed uncertainty over how the cases were recorded as positive and suggested a possible communication breakdown.
Doctors close to Dr. Rosh voiced concerns that media reports depicting him as contradicting the minister could lead to friction or retaliatory measures.
Separately, a 62-year-old woman died of dengue near Mannarkkad on the same day. Maria had first sought fever treatment at a local family health centre. Her condition worsened, leading to referrals to government hospitals before admission to a private facility where she died on ventilator support.
