22 students fall ill, ayurveda college hostel shut

Tripunithura: The hostel of Govt Ayurveda Medical College, Puthiyakavu, Tripunithura, was closed on Thursday after 22 students fell ill with diarrhoea. The incident comes at a time when several water-borne diseases, including Shigella infections, are being reported from different parts of the state.

Health department officials confirmed that traces of E coli bacteria were detected in water samples collected from the hostel’s storage tanks. The diarrhoea cases were first reported on June 12. Most affected students have since left the hostel after receiving treatment. “Most of our roommates have left, either after recovering or taking preliminary medicines for diarrhoea. We're now staying at friends' homes or nearby monthly-rented lodges, since we have to attend semester exams,” said a hosteller who requested anonymity. Amid the rising case count, a medical team deputed by the district medical officer (DMO), Ernakulam, visited the hostel and mess. “On detailed examination of drinking water samples taken from the storage tanks, traces of E coli bacteria were found,” said the medical officer who led the team, adding that most drinking water sources are located close to a drainage channel and swampy, barren land, suspected to be the source of the contamination.

On the medical team's instructions, chlorination has begun in nearly a dozen water tanks that supply drinking water to the hostel, mess and college hospital. Following the outbreak, the hostel and mess were shut and classes temporarily suspended. “The medical team that conducted the lab tests will retest the water samples on June 22. If they're found free of E. coli, we'll resume regular classes. If contamination persists, we'll shift to online classes, since exams are approaching,” said college principal Sreeja Sukeshan. The principal added that a staff shortage was hampering water treatment and other steps needed to ensure safe drinking water for students and patients. “We've submitted a memorandum to the district collector outlining the institution's basic requirements. A large number of patients from distant places depend on this hospital for their medical needs,” Sreeja said.