KOCHI: In the wake of the widespread outbreak of water-borne diseases, officials from the health department and medical organisations have come up with a series of preventive measures and warnings for the residents of the city. These measures, both at the community level and individual level is expected to keep the diseases at bay. This is also because the steps taken by the government is proving to be inadequate.One of the thumb rules when it comes to prevention of water-borne diseases is consumption of boiling water. Experts say, that even household purifying machines might not be a substitute for this time tested measure. “Boiled water is the golden rule. Even if the drinking water is purified by the water purifying machines, it is always better to boil it. That is the only reliable standard. People should ensure that the water they use in all their food is boiled. Many hotels and eateries flout this rule. Even small items can cause the spread. For instance, the water used in the Chutney given with Masala Dosa is often made of unboiled water. This in itself is enough to cause diseases. So when people buy food from outside, they must be careful to chose well,” said the Secretary of Indian Medical Association, Kochi, Dr M Narayanan.Toilet hygiene is another aspect that is worrying medical experts. “Toilets must be at a minimum distance of 7.5 metres from wells or other sources of water. Personal toilet hygiene is also of utmost importance. In India since we use hands directly for toilet, antiseptic should always be used after cleaning. This is one area where a lot of infection happens,” says the District Medical Officer, Dr Sudhakaran.Infection from the sources of water is always in the minds of Kochiites. The first phase of the Health department’s chlorination drive to disinfect wells and other sources by adding chlorine has come to an end. “Once performed, the chlorination will last for 15 days unless there is heavy rains in which case the water may get diluted. We will be taking up the next drive after the required time period,” said the DMO. Though the health department has announced a completion of the drive, some residents in the city claim that the drive has not happened in their localities. In such cases chlorination must be done either individually or through residents’ associations, medical experts say. Similarly garbage and excreta dumped in several areas are a prime reason for water contamination. Experts recommend that residents' associations and individuals must take steps to remove these at the earliest.Vaccination and other preventive measures too are recommended especially for groups and sections vulnerable to specific diseases. “In the case of diseases like rat fever, people working in swamps and slushy areas are especially susceptible. These include MGNREGA workers and pineapple farmers. Such persons can use the drug named Bauxicycline. It is available for free in all the government hospitals. The drug must be used 24 hours before one goes for work, twice a week. After 6 weeks of using it, one must take a two day gap and may continue to use it further,” the DMO said. The IMA has also recommended that people who regularly rely on street food, or travel frequently and thereby vulnerable to infection must get themselves vaccinated against the water- borne diseases. The health department has also asked citizens to visit qualified doctors when symptoms arise.“In the cases of diseases like rat fever, the symptom are very general, so in many cases the diseases is not even diagnosed before the death of the patient. People must consult government doctors or other qualified physicians when symptoms of fever arise,” said the DMO.
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