Ernakulam reported 220 hepatitis A cases between February 1 and March 10 this year, according to official figures.

The district recorded an average of five such cases daily. Two deaths had been reported during this period. They included a 51-year-old female and 28-year-old male inmates at a care home for the destitute and elderly at Veliyathunad in Karumaloor panchayat near Aluva, which had reported nearly 20 cases over the past one month.

Between February 1 and March 10, the highest number (20) of hepatitis A cases in the district was reported on March 7. On March 1, as many as 19 cases were reported, while 15 cases were recorded on February 1, as per data available with the Department of Health.

In Karumaloor, a cluster-like situation was found at the centre for the destitute and elderly.

T.K. Ayapppan, member of Paruvakkadu ward in Veliyathunad, said over 150 persons were residing at the facility. Samples were collected from a well on the premises and drinking water distributed through the Kerala Water Authority network, he said.

The ward member said that the care home residents were not using well water for drinking as it was mainly used for secondary purposes. The Health authorities had collected samples to ascertain the source of contamination, he said.

Ramla Latheef, chairperson of the panchayat’s standing committee on health, said super-chlorination of wells at the centre and nearby homes had been carried out to prevent an outbreak. She said a majority of those who were infected had other age-related ailments.

Health officials in the civic body had visited the homes in the ward to sensitise the public to the need to use boiled drinking water and avoid having food or juices from eateries functioning in unhygienic surroundings.

The health workers also urged residents to avoid eating stale food or food left open. They have also been advised to wash hands with soap before handling food, after eating, and after using the toilet.