KOCHI: The state health department has directed district officials to check the quality of food served in hotels and cool bars in Kothamangalam and Nellikuzhi areas, where a severe outbreak of jaundice and hepatitis-A have been reported.
The move follows the death of three people. Health officials suspect that people contracted disease after eating from a hotel in Nellikuzhi.
Officials said though the disease is under control, more than 280 people have been infected in Nellikuzhi panchayat alone.
The total number infected, taking into account adjoining areas, would come to around 360. "Our surveillance teams are in the area as the number of infected persons is high. The chances of hepatitis-A spreading is high," said Dr N K Kuttappan, district medical officer, Ernakulam
A nine-member team of specialists led by Dr G Arunkumar from the Manipal Institute of Virology has reached the area to study the outbreak. "The team will investigate whether this is a new strain of virus. The severity of the disease and the reasons behind the quick outbreak has to be studied. The team will submit their preliminary report in a couple of weeks," DMO said.
During a review meeting held at Kothamangalam on Friday, the director of health services Dr R Ramesh directed the food and safety department to ensure preventive measures for controlling the jaundice in Nellikuzhi and neighbouring areas.
Awareness classes and surveys are being conducted in the area.
A team of five doctors conducted a special medical camp in Cheruvattoor primary health centre. Blood samples of 253 people, who took part in the camp, have been sent for testing. The blood samples are being sent to the mobile lab set up by the social security mission and to the temporary lab set up in the health centre. The mobile lab was set up on the request of the district collector
Dr Ramesh, directed the health department officials to open 24-hour diagnostic labs in Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha hospitals. A 24-hour control cell has been opened in Kothamangalam taluk hospital. Control room number is 0485-2822603.
"Measures have been taken to clean the water bodies in the municipality," said Manju Siju, Kothamangalam municipality chairperson.
She said that ASHA workers have been deployed to visit households to give awareness to people. Chlorination, rainage cleaning and waste management have been undertaken by the panchayat following the spread of disease.
The move follows the death of three people. Health officials suspect that people contracted disease after eating from a hotel in Nellikuzhi.
Officials said though the disease is under control, more than 280 people have been infected in Nellikuzhi panchayat alone.
The total number infected, taking into account adjoining areas, would come to around 360. "Our surveillance teams are in the area as the number of infected persons is high. The chances of hepatitis-A spreading is high," said Dr N K Kuttappan, district medical officer, Ernakulam
A nine-member team of specialists led by Dr G Arunkumar from the Manipal Institute of Virology has reached the area to study the outbreak. "The team will investigate whether this is a new strain of virus. The severity of the disease and the reasons behind the quick outbreak has to be studied. The team will submit their preliminary report in a couple of weeks," DMO said.
During a review meeting held at Kothamangalam on Friday, the director of health services Dr R Ramesh directed the food and safety department to ensure preventive measures for controlling the jaundice in Nellikuzhi and neighbouring areas.
Awareness classes and surveys are being conducted in the area.
A team of five doctors conducted a special medical camp in Cheruvattoor primary health centre. Blood samples of 253 people, who took part in the camp, have been sent for testing. The blood samples are being sent to the mobile lab set up by the social security mission and to the temporary lab set up in the health centre. The mobile lab was set up on the request of the district collector
Dr Ramesh, directed the health department officials to open 24-hour diagnostic labs in Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha hospitals. A 24-hour control cell has been opened in Kothamangalam taluk hospital. Control room number is 0485-2822603.
"Measures have been taken to clean the water bodies in the municipality," said Manju Siju, Kothamangalam municipality chairperson.
She said that ASHA workers have been deployed to visit households to give awareness to people. Chlorination, rainage cleaning and waste management have been undertaken by the panchayat following the spread of disease.
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