With communicable diseases continuing to spread across Kerala, the state government has stepped up its response by constituting a high-power committee of health experts to strengthen disease surveillance and containment measures, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Tuesday.
Muraleedharan said the committee would assess the prevailing disease situation and submit recommendations on disease control, medicine availability and stock management.
The minister stressed that the rise in infectious diseases was not due to any individual lapse and pointed out that expanded testing had led to greater detection of cases.
The committee will function under the chairmanship of public health expert Dr S.S. Lal, with Principal Secretary (Health), Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, serving as coordinator.
Dr Lal has previously served at the World Health Organization (WHO). He had also contested the 2021 Assembly elections as a Congress candidate from the Kazhakootam constituency but was unsuccessful.
The committee will include senior professionals from the Indian Medical Association and experts from other sectors to ensure effective coordination.
In addition, district-level action committees have been formed to coordinate preventive measures and public health interventions.
The minister said special monitoring would be undertaken in areas vulnerable to diseases such as Nipah.
He added that adequate stocks of medicines were available across the state and that directions had been issued to shut unhygienic food establishments and intensify inspections of packaged drinking water and mineral water units.
The government also attributed delays in pre-monsoon sanitation and cleaning drives to the election period, which affected the timely implementation of preventive measures in several areas.
Meanwhile, disease surveillance data indicate a concerning rise in Shigella infections.
From January to the middle of this month, Kerala has reported 146 Shigella cases, including 70 cases recorded this month alone.
Five deaths linked to the infection have been reported so far in the districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur.
Kozhikode continues to record the highest number of infections in the state.
According to the minister, the district has reported 74 cases, including 22 cases this month.
Fresh cases have also been reported from other parts of the state.
With the onset of the monsoon and a rise in disease incidence, health authorities have urged the public to maintain hygiene, ensure safe drinking water and seek timely medical attention if symptoms develop.
With Inputs From IANS
