The mounting incidence of hepatitis A cases reported from parts of Vaikom taluk has opened a controversy.
Hepatitis cases have been reported from Edayazham block panchayat area since July. However, its spread started showing certain curious trends only during the past fortnight.
Most of those who have contracted the disease are young men. It is suspected that most of them contracted the disease through contaminated toddy being brought from Palakkad. Toddy mixed with contaminated water was a sure source of hepatitis, many point out.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, those in the abkari business have refuted the allegation. In spite of the warning issued by the Public Health Department, many allege that the response from the Excise authorities was not very enthusiastic.
According to N.M. Ayshabai, District Medical Officer, out of the 99 cases hepatitis A cases reported since July 12, there is only one woman. Majority of the patients are aged below 40.
“At present, there is no chance of getting any evidence of the sources since the toddy samples cannot be retrieved after such a gap,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
While the number of patients given by the District Medical Office is the number of those who have sought Allopathy treatment from the Public Health institutions, the real strength of patients could be double the number, it is pointed out, since many believe that effective medicines for hepatitis are available in Ayurveda and other alternative streams of medicine.
A 55-year-old man died of hepatitis during the period.
Hepatitis A outbreak is mainly reported from Edayazham, Maravanthuruth, TV Puram, Brahmamangalam and Udyanapuram areas.
Sporadic cases have been reported from Vaikom town area as well.
According to the DMO, an intensive sanitation drive has been launched in the area. Chlorination of drinking water sources have also been taken up. People have been advised to drink only boiled water.