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Page No. : 72-77

ABSTRACT

Kerala, a biodiverse and densely populated state in southern India, has emerged as a hotspot for zoonotic diseases due to its unique ecological and socio-cultural landscape. This review examines how Kerala s unique ecological, social, and climatic characteristics contribute to its vulnerability as a hotspot. Leptospirosis remains the most prevalent zoonosis, particularly during the monsoon season, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Though less frequent, rabies and Nipah virus infections are among the most lethal, with case fatality rates approaching 100 percent. Additionally, vector-borne and emerging zoonoses such as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), Scrub typhus, Zika virus, West Nile fever, and Monkeypox have been increasingly reported, indicating a shifting epidemiological trend. These diseases not only pose serious public health threats but also
impose substantial economic burdens through healthcare costs, productivity loss, and containment measures. The rise in zoonotic threats in Kerala is not merely a statistical anomaly, but a consequence of deep-rooted interactions between humans, animals, and their shared environments. Drawing on official data, field reports, and recent findings from national disease surveillance programs, this paper emphasises the urgent need for a robust one health approach as a multisectoral collaboration is essential for early detection, risk mitigation, and public awareness. Furthermore, Kerala s model provides valuable insight for other regions undergoing
comparable ecological and epidemiological transitions.

Keywords: Zoonotic disease, Hotspot, Kerala state, one health approach