Water Shortage Causes Spread Of Waterborne Diseases In Dist | Kochi News

KOCHI: As water shortage hits many parts of the district, waterborne diseases are on the rise. There is a surge in cases of hepatitis and diarrhoea in the district in Feb and March.
In Feb alone, 2,940 diarrhoea cases were reported while March witnessed 1,834 cases so far. Three confirmed cases of hepatitis-A and one death were reported in Feb. Suspected cases of hepatitis A in Feb are 41.In March, 10 confirmed and 48 suspected hepatitis cases have been reported so far.
Health department has identified various reasons like use of contaminated drinking water, use of cool drinks and food items from eateries, use of ice produced in commercial scale and lack of proper hygiene for the spread of waterborne diseases. “Due to shortage of clean drinking water, residents may depend on contaminated sources for potable water. Hepatitis A and E are being spread due to the use of contaminated drinking water. Fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, etc. are the initial symptoms. Later on, yellowish eyes and urine can be seen in hepatitis A and E patients,” said an official with Ernakulam district health department. \“The disease is being spread to family members once an infected member cooks food and serves to others in the family. All should, especially those who are serving food should wash their hands using soap before serving or eating food,” the official said.
Such diseases are mostly reported from Mattancherry, Kizhakkambalam, Malayattoor and Payipra areas.
In Feb, two confirmed cases of typhoid and eight suspected cases were reported from various parts of the district. In March, two confirmed and nine suspected cases of typhoid have been reported so far. In Feb, one Shigellosis case was also reported from the district. Shigellosis is a type of bacterial diarrhoea which spreads through contaminated food and water and poor hygienic conditions.
Health department has asked students and officials in educational institutions and establishments in the areas where waterborne diseases are already spreading to avoid sharing of food and water. Health department has also asked the persons with the diseases to avoid visiting public places.
Pregnant women and those with underlying diseases are prone to develop lever-related complications once they are contracted with waterborne diseases. So, such persons should consult doctors rather than engaging in self-medication, health officials warned.

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