Kerala government issues strict guidelines to combat Amoebic meningoencephalitis

Thiruvananthapuram: Following a rise in cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, the Kerala government has issued guidelines for pollution control in water bodies and swimming pools. The State Public Health Officer issued the order to ensure precautionary measures are followed.

The order highlighted that swimming pools, as well as bathing in polluted ponds, lakes, and slow-flowing streams, are key contributors to the spread of the disease.

Key instructions

• Operators of resorts, hotels, water theme parks, and swimming training centres must chlorinate water daily and maintain a special register, which should be produced for inspection by panchayat health officials.
• Chlorination should also be carried out in water reservoirs used for drinking water.
• Agencies such as the Water authority and the Jalanidhi are responsible for ensuring the purification of water supply networks.
• Water found to contain amoeba in drinking supply networks should not be used for domestic purposes.
• Discharge of waste into water sources and dumping of solid waste must be prevented.