Contamination of water sources such as rivers, rivulets, and open wells is perceived to be among the primary reasons for the frequent cases of water-borne diseases in the State. A case in point is the recent spurt in shigellosis cases at Anakuzhikkara in Kuttikkattoor in Peruvayal grama panchayat in Kozhikode district, where a three-and-a-half-year-old girl succumbed to the infection.
According to Health department sources, 13 positive cases of the intestinal infection have so far been reported from the panchayat limits. Caused by the shigella bacteria, it spreads through contaminated food or water and poor hand hygiene. Even a small number of the organisms is enough to transmit the infection. Panchayat authorities said that the presence of E.coli bacteria had been found in certain wells.
A survey conducted as part of the One Local Self-Government One idea project a few years ago found that the 18 rivulets that help maintain the water flow in the Mampuzha river had been encroached upon, and paddy fields had been filled. Studies conducted by the biodiversity management committee of the panchayat had found that the contamination of these rivulets located on the foothills of Ariyoramala was a cause for concern. Functionaries of the committee suspect the presence of infection-causing pathogens in these waterbodies.
R.V. Jafar, president of the panchayat, said on Sunday (March 29) that superchlorination of water sources had been taken up in three wards, each containing around 750 houses. Accredited Social Health Activists and health workers were also conducting awareness sessions on the importance of hand hygiene, he said.
Health department sources said that local health workers had visited 274 houses, and water sources had been chlorinated. The anganwadi where the deceased kid had studied is temporarily shut. The department is also planning to train anganwadi teachers and workers in taking preventive steps against shigellosis.