Kerala’s battle with water-borne diseases, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Kerala, despite its strong public health record, is facing recurrent outbreaks of water-borne diseases like shigellosis and Hepatitis A.
• The state reported 31,536 cases and 82 deaths from Hepatitis A in 2025, with nearly 9,000 cases and 25 deaths by June 15 this year.
• Amoebic meningoencephalitis has emerged as a significant concern, with 134 cases and 34 deaths reported by June 15 this year.
• Groundwater contamination is a major factor, with 62% of the population relying on groundwater from nearly 7 million wells.
• Kerala has less than 6% proper sewerage network coverage, and its achievement under the AMRUT Mission for sewerage connections was only 0.13%.

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Detailed Insights:

• The rise in water-borne diseases is attributed to rapid urbanization, inadequate environmental health measures, and poor sewage infrastructure.
• The state's success in managing complex diseases like Nipah contrasts sharply with its current struggle against preventable water-borne illnesses.
• Poorly designed septic tanks, often located close to domestic wells, contribute significantly to groundwater contamination.
• Studies have revealed high levels of faecal contamination in over 70% of open wells, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Outbreaks of Hepatitis A and shigellosis are frequently linked to local drinking water sources in rural areas.
• Regional water supply systems often lack adequate chlorination or filtration, and supply lines running near sewage drains pose a contamination risk.
• The issue highlights a broader failure in inter-sectoral coordination and under-investment in essential urban infrastructure like sewerage networks.
• Long-term solutions require substantial investments in urban planning, safe water distribution, wastewater treatment, and environmental surveillance.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Shigellosis: An infectious disease caused by bacteria, leading to severe diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• Hepatitis A: A highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus, typically spread through contaminated food or water.
• Amoebic meningoencephalitis: A rare and severe brain infection caused by free-living amoebae, often linked to contaminated water.
• AMRUT Mission: A central government initiative aimed at ensuring universal access to safe water supply and reliable sewerage connections in urban areas.