238 people diagnosed with jaundice in Vallikkunnu, welcome drink at wedding confirmed to be source of outbreak

MALAPPURAM: The number of people affected by jaundice here is on the rise and has crossed 6,000. Of these, 238 people have been diagnosed with jaundice in Vallikkunnu. As per Vallikkunnu panchayat president A Shailaja, the source of jaundice outbreak in Vallikkunnu has been found to be from the welcome drink distributed at a wedding.

The wedding took place on May 13 at the Smart Auditorium in Munniyoor Panchayat. The disease was first detected among those who drank the welcome drink from here. Panchayat president A Shailaja says that all the cases reported in the panchayat are related to this.

Jaundice is spreading in panchayats like Vallikkunnu, Munniyoor, Thenjipalam and Chelembra in Malappuram. Jaundice was confirmed in 284 patients in Athanikkallu. Officials have informed that 459 people have sought treatment at different times in Vallikunnu constituency. The health department has issued a warning to schools in the area following the outbreak and has intensified door-to-door awareness.