Kozhikode, On Tuesday, four more diphtheria cases were reported in the district taking the total number of cases to 34 of which 11 were confirmed.

Two 16-year-old’s and the rest are adults were affected from the diphtheria .

New cases were reported from Olavanna, Pannikode in Kodiyathur, Peruvayal and Pathiyarakara in Vadakara.

A first time in its history, considering the spread of the air-borne disease, an isolated diphtheria ward has started functioning at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

The 50-bed capacity ward has already 57 patients including those from Malappuram district.

It was reported on tuesday that in July, total number of dengue and leptospirosis cases has touched 20 each of which two dengue and four leptospirosis.

Malaria count has soared to 15 in this month with a new case reported in Koyilandy.

As many as 1,830 patients were treated for fever as on July 19 and 6,872 diarrhoea patients, said health office.

A surprise checks in eateries has been conducted by health officers and shut down eight among them due to the wake of cholera outbreak in Malappuram and Palakkad.

“As many as 1,188 eateries were inspected by 67 teams in various parts of the district. A fine of `26,100 has been collected from the erring food and catering firms,” said District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr R.L Saritha.