4 days ago
Jaundice outbreak reported from Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district
Kochi: A major jaundice (Hepatitis A) outbreak is spreading in Avoly and nearby panchayats in Muvattupuzha, around 47km from the city. Since the first case was reported on May 30, as many as 51 primary cases were reported until Monday.
Of the 51 cases, 21 are from Avoly. With the incubation period of Hepatitis A virus being two weeks to 45 days, health authorities expect more cases to surface in the coming days. Officials from district medical office visited Avoly on Monday and directed measures to contain the infection from spreading further.
Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated water or food. The source of the infection is suspected to be food served during a pre-wedding function at a house in Nadukkara, ninth ward of Avoly panchayat, on May 3.
Around 150 people, including neighbours and relatives from Avoly, Manjalloor and Arakuzha panchayats in Muvattupuzha and Idukki and Alappuzha districts attended the event. Even ward members contracted jaundice after attending the function.
A catering agency, from Marady panchayat, served food at the house on May 3. The same agency served food during a wedding function on May 5. Following the outbreak, health authorities closed the agency.
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Reportedly, the agency used cold water from the house to dilute boiled water before serving it.
"Only those who attended the pre-wedding function were infected with jaundice. However, we couldn't collect water samples from the house well for testing as the first case was reported on May 30. Before that, we did routine chlorination in the well as part of the local body's regular exercise. Ice cream, chutney to serve with dosa and other items were served during the function.
Items like chutney are prepared with cold water.
Also, they diluted boiled water with the house well water. We couldn't confirm which food item was the source of the outbreak. Our current objective is to ensure no secondary infection. For that, an awareness class to those who attended the function is underway," said an Avoly health official.
Wells in the affected areas are now being super chlorinated by increasing the quantity of chlorine depending on water in it.
Nadukkara ward member Selby John refuted the chances of infection from the house. "The family cleaned their well a week before the function. Hence, there is no chance of it being the source of the outbreak. The source of the infection must be the ice cubes used in welcome drinks. None of those infected is in a serious condition," Selby said.
