Hepatitis A cases rising sharply in Kerala

Despite several efforts to contain the spread of the disease, Kerala has reported a surge of Hepatitis A cases in the last few weeks. The total number of confirmed cases this year stands at 3227, while 16 people lost their lives to the disease. The worst-affected districts are Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Kozhikode. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the Indian Medical Association Research Cell, said that the measures implemented so far, especially the super-chlorination of water sources in affected areas, are not enough to curb the outbreak. He emphasised the need for a consistent purification of water sources and the suppression of illegal waste dumping. Dr Anish T S, professor with the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College, Kozhikode, agreed that mere filtration and treatment methods are ineffective due to low immunity levels in the state population. He called for a multi-pronged intervention against the disease, strengthening sewage treatment and developing a more efficient waste management system to prevent soil and water contamination.
Hepatitis A outbreaks are common in Kerala, especially during summer when there is water scarcity. It leads people to consume contaminated water, increasing the risk of contracting the disease. In 2024, the state recorded 7943 cases and 81 deaths, with Malappuram and Ernakulam again as the worst-affected districts. However, public awareness about the disease has risen in recent years, leading to more testing. Dr Rajeev recommended seeking immediate medical treatment if developing symptoms. He also advised considering vaccination against the disease, though Hepatitis A vaccines are expensive due to their exclusion from the national vaccination programme.
With the arrival of the monsoon, experts warn about the potential spread of other waterborne diseases, such as dengue and leptospirosis, due to flooding.