Chlorination drive to continue in Ernakulam district

In an effort to arrest the rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis in the State, the two-day cleanliness drive involving chlorination of wells and waterbodies, which began last weekend, will continue in the district. It will be carried out within the Kochi Corporation limits and a few other local bodies in the coming days.

“Around 90% of waterbodies in the district, such as wells, tanks, and ponds, have been covered under the campaign. The process will continue. A video from the Directorate of Health Services [DHS] on how to carry out chlorination has also been circulated among the parties concerned. We have also given them instructions on checking residual chlorine using a chloroscope,” said District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Ashadevi. 

Maintaining that the risk of contracting the disease is everywhere, the DMO said that chlorination was being carried out diligently and that private entrepreneurs had been advised to carry out chlorination and keep records regarding the same. No cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis have been reported in the district so far, she added. Asked whether samples from waterbodies were taken for analysis, she said that no such plans were in the offing. “If any cases turn positive, then we will check the nearby waterbodies,” she said.

The chlorination drive has been completed in 87 local bodies out of the 96 in the district. The drive will be conducted in the Kochi Corporation and the remaining nine local bodies (Mookkannoor, Thuravoor, Malayattoor-Neeleshwaram, Asamannoor, Mudakuzha, Palakuzha, Perumbavoor, North Paravur and Angamaly) in the coming days.

Earlier, as part of the mass two-day campaign organised by the district administration on August 30 and 31, a total of 2,01,979 private wells, 1,589 public institution wells, and 2,052 public wells were chlorinated. There are 3,76,910 private wells, 2,681 public institution wells, and 2,710 private wells in the district. As many as 22,082 tanks in public institutions and public areas were also chlorinated.

According to an official, it has been observed during the drive that proper and regular cleaning of overhead water tanks was not done in governmental institutions in the past. “This drive helped address the issue. Quite often this is ignored. The same applies to wells in rural areas, which are generally considered clean. The drive drew focus towards the issue, and residents have been proactively purchasing bleaching powder and chlorinating wells, instead of waiting for an intervention by local bodies,” said the official.

District enforcement squads have been told to carry out random checks in pools in private resorts and amusement parks to see if regular chlorination is being done.

An awareness campaign will also be held in schools for students studying in eighth grade and above. This will be held from September 8 to 30 and will be carried out with the involvement of the Education department.