Kerala has recorded 12 additional communicable diseases in the past decade, bringing the total to 25. Experts view this rise as a clear indicator of the state’s poor public hygiene and the growing impact of climate change.
Life in Choorathodu Changed After Hepatitis Outbreak
The daily lives of residents in Choorathodu village and the surrounding Vengoor panchayat in Ernakulam shifted drastically after a major hepatitis outbreak in April last year. The outbreak infected over 300 people and claimed three lives.
A Mother’s Ongoing Struggle
Even after a year, Nicy, a young mother of three, remains deeply concerned about her son, Erizal. The six-year-old, now in Class I, spent 18 days in the hospital with jaundice. The illness severely weakened his immunity and left lasting complications.
The family now hesitates to continue treatment for his early symptoms of albinism, a genetic disorder that reduces melanin production. They fear further complications from medical interventions.
Adopting Stricter Hygiene Practices
As reported by TOI, the outbreak forced Nicy’s family, like many others in the village, to change their daily habits. They now drink only boiled water and avoid beverages such as lime juice sold in shops.
“I also had jaundice before Erizal,” Nicy recalled. “But his condition worsened within days, with fluid accumulating in his liver and stomach. He couldn’t walk, and we had to spend nearly ₹1 lakh on his treatment, as we had no insurance. After infection, he developed allergies and stomach pain whenever he takes medicine, even for fever. That’s why we are afraid to continue his treatment for skin discoloration. Jaundice taught us to drink only boiled water. Earlier, we all drank directly from the tap, but now I boil water daily and make sure the children drink it.”
Public Hygiene Failures Exposed
The hepatitis outbreak highlighted critical lapses in sanitation. Investigations by the health department traced the source of infection to water from a broken Kerala Water Authority (KWA) pipeline. The well, replenished with canal-harvested water, had become contaminated, revealing the consequences of poor maintenance and public hygiene.
Preventable Yet Deadly
Kerala’s rise in communicable diseases reflects preventable public health failures. Despite advances in healthcare, experts warn that poor sanitation, coupled with environmental changes, continues to expose communities to fatal outbreaks.