Communicable diseases such as malaria, filariasis, and cholera have started resurfacing in Pathanamthitta district. Health Department sources said certain pockets of migrant labour force had been identified as the new breeding grounds of these diseases.
An 18-year-old construction worker from West Bengal staying at a labour quarters at Vallicaud, near Pathanamthitta, died of cholera a week ago. Two of his roommates, suspected to be suffering from the waterborne disease, and 11 others camping there, left for Kanjirappaly a few days ago and are yet to be traced.
Deputy District Medical Officer L.Anithakumari said a health team had carried out super-chlorination of all drinking water sources as well as pumping stations in the locality.
Dr. Anithakumari said 92 filariasis cases were reported from the district this year. All the cases were found among workers from the northeastern States.
25 cases of malaria
She said 25 cases of malaria were reported from the district in the past seven months. The disease was detected in those coming from endemic areas in West Bengal, Jharkhand etc.
Health Department sources said the heavy influx of migrant workers from the northeastern States had made Kerala susceptible to these communicable diseases, which the State claimed to have eradicated.
Dr. Anithakumari said health inspectors reported appalling living conditions of the migrant workers at squalid sheds and congested rooms at their camps.
She said the labourers were found to have been carriers of malaria and filariasis reported from the district.