Viral hepatitis spreading; two deaths reported; know symptoms and preventive methods

MALAPPURAM: One more death due to viral hepatitis has been confirmed. Jigin (14), son of Chandran, a native of Kalikavu, died. Jigin, who is differently abled, was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital due to infection. The child died on Friday night. The child's father and brother are being treated for hepatitis.

Jigin's is the second hepatitis death to be reported today. Ithikal Zakir, a native of Pothukal Kodalipoyil, died of hepatitis this morning. He died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode.

A 41-year-old man from Chaliyar panchayat had died of viral hepatitis the other day. He died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. On March 19, a nine-year-old girl in his house was diagnosed with viral hepatitis. Medical officer and health workers had reached the house and taken preventive measures.

On April 22, this person was diagnosed with viral hepatitis at the Chaliyar Family Health Center and was admitted to the Nilambur District Hospital on the 26th. From there, the patient went to a private hospital in Mancheri for specialist treatment. From there, the patient was shifted to a private hospital in Kozhikode due to worsening liver function. While undergoing a liver transplant, he developed an infection and died.

Disease increasing

The district has reported 3,184 suspected viral hepatitis cases and 1,032 confirmed cases since January this year. There were five suspected deaths and five confirmed deaths. One death was reported in March and four in April. Most cases were reported in Pothukal, Kuzhimanna, Omanoor, Pookkottur, Morayur, Peruvallur panchayats and Malappuram municipality.

Do not ignore these symptoms

Viral hepatitis is a disease caused by microorganisms belonging to a group of viruses. Common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes, and yellow urine. If the disease is severe, it can affect the function of the liver and even cause death.

Preventive measures

• Do not defecate in the open. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating and after going to the toilet.
• Chlorinate drinking water sources, wells, water storage tanks etc. with bleaching powder.
• Use chlorinated water for personal hygiene and household purposes.
• Drink only boiled water.
• Use fruits and vegetables only after washing them several times.
• Do not use cold, stale, exposed food items, spoiled fruits and vegetables.