Water contamination caused by effluent pipes is suspected to have triggered the hepatitis A outbreak in Kothamangalam municipality.
According to health authorities, an investigation into the spread of the disease found that the contamination of the water table and nearby wells was caused by the discharge of effluents from certain households into a canal that is part of the Muvattupuzha minor irrigation project.
A total of 37 cases were reported from Division 25, Mulavoor Kavala, in the municipality. The first case was reported on March 29 and the latest on April 24.
The municipality has initiated measures to contain the spread of the disease, including cleaning the irrigation canal, carrying out regular chlorination of wells and waterbodies, and installing cautionary notices against contaminating water sources. The outbreak occurred after residents consumed contaminated well water without boiling it.
“Cleaning of the canal is currently under way. Once it is completed, we will be able to identify the number of effluent pipes. Households and establishments found guilty of discharging wastewater into the canal will be fined. Contaminating waterbodies is a serious offence,” said K.S. Sheji, health supervisor of Kothamangalam municipality.
