Effluent discharge into canal suspected to have triggered hepatitis A outbreak

Water contamination caused by effluent pipes is suspected to have triggered the hepatitis A outbreak in Kothamangalam municipality.

According to health authorities, an investigation into the spread of the disease found that the contamination of the water table and nearby wells was caused by the discharge of effluents from certain households into a canal that is part of the Muvattupuzha minor irrigation project.

A total of 37 cases were reported from Division 25, Mulavoor Kavala, in the municipality. The first case was reported on March 29 and the latest on April 24.

The municipality has initiated measures to contain the spread of the disease, including cleaning the irrigation canal, carrying out regular chlorination of wells and waterbodies, and installing cautionary notices against contaminating water sources. The outbreak occurred after residents consumed contaminated well water without boiling it.

“Cleaning of the canal is currently under way. Once it is completed, we will be able to identify the number of effluent pipes. Households and establishments found guilty of discharging wastewater into the canal will be fined. Contaminating waterbodies is a serious offence,” said K.S. Sheji, health supervisor of Kothamangalam municipality.

The region will be declared disease-free only if no new case is reported for 90 days after the last reported case. “The maximum incubation period of the hepatitis A virus is 45 days. We double the incubation period to 90 days to ensure that all cases have been identified. Based on inspections by health officials, two major decisions have been taken, which include the removal of all effluent pipes and ensuring external water supply to affected households,” said a doctor at the Government Taluk Headquarters Hospital, Kothamangalam.

Ernakulam continues to report a considerable number of hepatitis A cases compared to other districts in the State. According to Health department statistics, the district has recorded the highest number of cases so far this month, with some days reporting more than seven cases daily.