Health dept on its toes as jaundice spreads in Koduvally

Nearly 30 people diagnosed with symptoms of the illness

March 19, 2018 01:30 am | Updated 07:16 pm IST - Kozhikode

The Health Department is on its toes after the recent death of a 22-year-old man with suspected jaundice symptoms and the diagnosis of the disease among close to 30 people within the Koduvally municipality limits in the district since mid-February.

Sources in the department told The Hindu on Sunday that the deceased youth, identified as Ajnas, was reportedly undergoing treatment in traditional medicine.

He was shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, only after his condition worsened, and he died on Friday.

Nasrul Islam, medical officer, Primary Health Centre, Koduvally, said that the youth was travelling between February 27 and March 3 and had visited Chennai too. “The actual cause of his death is yet to be ascertained. The lab report will be available only on Monday,” he added.

15 cases

Health activists realised the gravity of the situation when 15 jaundice cases were reported from Palakkutti in the municipality between February 15 and 28.

Ten of them in the 10 to 20 age group were staying above a local mosque.

Two were students of a religious educational institution, and the rest were local residents.

The septic tank of the mosque was found located close to the well from which drinking water is sourced. Besides, all of them were found to have consumed ice candy and cut fruits and vegetables sold by roadside vendors.

Treatment provided

K. Muraleedharan, health inspector, said that since some patients hailed from Malappuram district, information on them had been passed on to their counterparts in that district through the District Medical Officer.

“All of them were given treatment, and they are stable now,” he said. Twelve new cases, however, have been reported in the area since March 1.

Mr. Muraleedharan pointed out that pollution of water resources might have been the primary reason for the outbreak.

The presence of e-coli bacteria had been found in at least half the 45 water samples collected from the region. On the failure to adopt steps to prevent the epidemic from spreading to more areas, officials of the Health Department expressed helplessness, saying that they were not authorised to inspect institutions, issue notices for lapses, and take action against errant people within the municipal limits.

The task has now been vested with the health wing of the municipality. Municipal officials, however, claimed they were overburdened with work.

Mr. Muraleedharan said that the department would conduct a comprehensive survey and a publicity campaign beginning Monday by roping in Kudumbasree volunteers, ASHAs, and municipal staff to make people aware of the need to keep drinking water clean.

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