KOCHI: Almost a week back, two jaundice-related deaths were reported in the district, but it failed to put a check on the increasing number of cases of waterborne disease. At least, 80 cases of waterborne diseases have been reported in Ernakulam district alone. The Hepatitis A virus doing rounds in Ernakulam has been creating tension, especially, in the western region of Kochi, said officials at the District Medical Officer’s office here.“In the past ten days, 29 cases of Hepatitis A were registered in the district, of which, 15 were from Mattanchery alone. This area has become a cause for concern,” said Sudhakaran, District Medical Officer.Equally severe are the 22 registered cases of Hepatitis E. “In Pampakkuda alone, 13 cases have been registered. With the summer heat going up, we are fearing an outbreak in coming days,” he said. According to Sudhakaran, Hepatitis E majorly spreads because of the floating population. “The reason for the outbreak of the disease in Pampakkuda was an infected lady who was visiting from Palakkad,” Sudhakaran added.Meanwhile, 17 cases of rat fever, spread through rat urine, has been reported on the outskirts of the city. “13 cases have been reported in Udayemperoor alone. Though there are no reasons to be alarmed, we are keeping a tight watch on the area,” the DMO added.Also, five confirmed and suspected cases of dengue fever has been reported in the rubber plantation areas of the district. According to Junaid Rahman, Ernakulam General Hospital Superintendent, measures are being taken by the health department as well as the local governing bodies to battle these issues. This has helped in keeping a regulatory check on the waterborne diseases.
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