THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department, in collaboration with various departments, is launching a public campaign to eradicate amoebic encephalitis. Minister Veena George announced that wells in all homes and institutions in the state should be chlorinated and water storage tanks cleaned and scrubbed on August 30 and 31 (Saturday and Sunday). The decision was made as per the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

Water storage tanks in homes, hospitals, educational institutions, hostels, flats and other places should be cleaned. The Health Minister also informed that all health workers and institutions should participate in the campaign being led by the local self-government bodies, Haritha Keralam Mission and the Water Resources Department. A high-level meeting of the Health Department was held under the chairmanship of the Minister to assess the current situation.

This year, 41 cases of amoebic encephalitis were reported. There are currently 18 active cases. The cases have been reported in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram districts. The minister also directed to ensure the availability of medicines for treatment. The water in resorts, hotels, water theme parks and swimming training centres should be chlorinated, and the chlorine levels should be checked and ensured. Action will be taken against those who do not comply with the health department’s directive. The minister directed health workers to check and ensure the drinking water sources.

Instructions were also given to carry out activities to ensure the cleanliness of public water sources in the state, including cleaning all ponds and water sources used by the public and blocking the sewage channels leading to them. The algae and waste accumulated in ponds, lakes and other water sources should be removed under the leadership of local self-government bodies. Those who enter the water should take the anti-rabies pill doxycycline as per the instructions of health workers. Along with this, awareness activities will be intensified. Training and awareness will be provided to teachers and students in the campaign to be held in educational institutions after the Onam holidays.

As part of the surveillance, boards containing cautionary instructions should be installed near ponds and water bodies where the presence of amoeba has been detected. Extensive public sanitation awareness activities should be organised under the leadership of local self-government institutions.