Malappuram (Kerala), The Kerala government has issued an alert on viral hepatitis, whose outbreak in Malappuram district has killed 11 people this year.
According to the health department, 1,420 confirmed cases and 5,360 suspected cases of viral hepatitis have been reported in the North Kerala district this year.
Last month, 154 confirmed cases and 1,607 suspected cases of viral hepatitis were reported.
Most of the cases were from Athanaikkal (245), Kuzhimanna (91), Munniyur (85), Chellambra (53), Kondotty (51), Tirurangadi (48), Parappanangadi (48), and Nannambara (30) areas.
Eleven deaths due to viral hepatitis have been confirmed in the district this year, officials said.
District Medical Officer Dr R Renuka said in a release that containment activities have been intensified in these areas under the leadership of the health department in collaboration with local government bodies and other departments.
Under the leadership of health workers, steps have been taken to clean the water in the affected areas by chlorinating the wells once every three days.
Health workers and Asha workers with the help of volunteers are conducting door-to-door health awareness campaigns, the release said.
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes the liver to become inflamed and damaged. When body tissues get injured or infected, they become swollen, which is called inflammation. This swelling can damage the organs.
According to the health department, 1,420 confirmed cases and 5,360 suspected cases of viral hepatitis have been reported in the North Kerala district this year.
Last month, 154 confirmed cases and 1,607 suspected cases of viral hepatitis were reported.
Most of the cases were from Athanaikkal (245), Kuzhimanna (91), Munniyur (85), Chellambra (53), Kondotty (51), Tirurangadi (48), Parappanangadi (48), and Nannambara (30) areas.
Eleven deaths due to viral hepatitis have been confirmed in the district this year, officials said.
District Medical Officer Dr R Renuka said in a release that containment activities have been intensified in these areas under the leadership of the health department in collaboration with local government bodies and other departments.
Under the leadership of health workers, steps have been taken to clean the water in the affected areas by chlorinating the wells once every three days.
Health workers and Asha workers with the help of volunteers are conducting door-to-door health awareness campaigns, the release said.
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes the liver to become inflamed and damaged. When body tissues get injured or infected, they become swollen, which is called inflammation. This swelling can damage the organs.