With more cases of hepatitis A and leptospirosis being reported from the district, Health authorities are blaming the unsafe drinking water available for people and the pollution caused by uncleared waste for the spread of the disease.
Hepatitis A and typhoid are both water-borne diseases and personal hygiene plays an important part in controlling the spread of the disease. Drinking boiled water is the best way to keep the disease away. The disease carrier, who keeps an unhealthy personal hygiene, would spread the disease by person to person contact, said R. Sudhakaran, district medical officer. High levels of personal hygiene are needed to stop the microbes from spreading, he said.
Typhoid is endemic to West Kochi but the disease has been kept under control as there is more awareness about drinking boiled water. The pipelines of the Kerala Water Authority that develop leaks have been found to carry unsafe drinking water, said Dr. Sudhakaran.
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On Monday, three cases of typhoid were reported, one from Mattancherry and two from Karuvelipady. Two cases of hepatitis A, one each from Eloor and Perumbavur were also reported. Two cases of malaria, one each from Pandapilly and Kochi were also reported. Sethumadhavan, from Eroor, Tripunithura, who died of leptospirosis on Saturday, was confirmed only on Monday.
There are also 12 cases of suspected hepatitis from various parts of the district, three suspected leptospirosis (Mulanthuruthy, Puthuvype and Palluruthy) and one suspected dengue (Piravom) reported on Monday.