'Only drink boiled water; Hepatitis A spreading in state'; Health Minister issues warning

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George advised all to practice drinking boiled water to ward off concerns of hepatitis A, which is mainly transmitted through contaminated water.

Hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated water sources, food, ice and soft drinks, washing hands with contaminated water, and contamination of well water through leaks in septic tanks.

People with other co-morbidities should take extra care as hepatitis A infection can turn serious in such cases. The minister also requested to seek treatment immediately if any symptoms are seen. The Minister also instructed officials to intensify preventive activities in Malappuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts. The Health Department has been meeting at the district and state levels to coordinate activities. Malappuram, Chaliyar and Pothukal areas have reported hepatitis deaths and the action plan has been formulated under the leadership of the health department.

The spread of Hepatitis-A was contained in Pothukal but new cases were reported forcing the district administration under the leadership of the district medical officer to bolster preventive actions. All drinking water sources in affected areas have been instructed to chlorinate. All hotels and restaurants have been instructed to serve only boiled water.

Ice used for juice should only be made with pure water. The inspection of health cards of those working in food establishments will be made rampant.

People with liver disease and other comorbidities suffer severe illness if contracted the disease. The disease is communicable and can be determined only through a proper blood test. Hepatitis A can lead to many diseases, therefore, treatment should be done only after knowing the cause.80-95% of children and 10-25% of adults who are infected with the hepatitis A virus may have no symptoms. Symptoms appear only between two to six weeks.

• Drink only boiled water.
• Avoid defecating in the open.
• Chlorinate the well water at regular intervals.
• Make sure there is a certain distance between the septic tank and the well.
• Wash your hands with soap before eating and after defecating.
• Do not share clothes and other items used by the patient with others. Clean them with a disinfectant such as a bleaching solution