Kerala - Kozhikode   

Probe on into death of patients at MCH

KOZHIKODE: Investigations are on into the death of persons of suspected leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) at the Government Medical College Hospital here.

District Medical Office sources said the death audit being conducted by the authorities included anti-body Immuno Globalin (IGM) test of the blood samples of the persons who allegedly are victims of suspected cases of leptospirosis.

Three persons in the district were reported to have died due to suspected leptospirosis at the MCH.

Those who died were identified as Kunhikannan, 60, of Keezhiyur; Sadanandan, 35, of Mankave; and Soman, 42, of Olavanna. Sources at the Medical College Hospital said the cause of death of Sadanandan has been confirmed as due to leptospirosis. They added that 11 persons were undergoing treatment for leptospirosis at MCH including two women.

District Medical Officer in–charge Shyamala, however, said the medical investigations had confirmed that Soman died due to jaundice. He had been on treatment for kidney stone at the hospital.

The investigation reports are awaited in the case of Kunhikannan and Sadanandan.

Sources warned that the suspected cases of Weil’s Disease reported from different parts of the district highlighted the health hazards faced by sanitary workers engaged in collecting, and handling wastes.

The sanitary workers fall within the high-risk group and there is need to provide them protective aids, including gloves and footwear, it was pointed out.

The district health authorities have launched an awareness campaign among the general public of the dangers of contracting Weil’s Disease infection from decaying wastes, and bathing in polluted water when there are minor injuries on the body.

The need for consuming fresh food was also being highlighted. The awareness programmes are being conducted under the guidance of the health officer in the Corporation areas and the primary health centres in the panchayats.

No fresh case of suspected leptospirosis was reported from the MCH on Thursday sources said.

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