The Kalamassery municipality has stepped up control measures against hepatitis A after a spurt in cases was reported from a private engineering institute near South Kalamassery.

The offline classes at the institution were suspended after hepatitis A was confirmed in a few students two weeks ago. The academic sessions were shifted to online mode. Officials from the health wing of the civic body visited the campus to ascertain the source of the disease. However, test results of water samples collected from two wells, which served as the drinking water source, did not show any contamination, according to municipal authorities.

The college authorities said that a few more students had shown symptoms of hepatitis A and that they had carried out chlorination of the wells as part of the control measures. The online classes will continue until the situation improves, they added.

The authorities pointed out that cases were also reported from the HMT Estate and Kangarapady wards. Salma Aboobacker, vice-chairperson and councillor representing the HMT Estate ward, said that there were only around five active cases as of Wednesday (February 26, 2025). She added that health workers had initiated the required control measures. The health wing also plans to inspect eateries and juice shops to ensure adherence to hygiene norms.

The municipality witnessed a spike in confirmed hepatitis A cases in December 2024. The health wing conducted a screening camp at the time to control the outbreak. Residents in the affected wards were advised to drink only boiled water and strictly avoid mixing boiled and normal water.

The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers advised residents to wash their hands with soap before handling food, after eating, and after using the toilet. They also instructed them to avoid eating stale or uncovered food.