Hepatitis A outbreak in Kalamassery Municipality, Kerala State, India

Health authorities have identified at least 40 cases of hepatitis A in Kalamassery Municipality which is a suburb of the city of Kochi in the District of Ernakulam in Kerala state. Twenty-one of the cases occurred in students at the Ernakulam Medical College. Nearly all cases reported consuming food or beverages from street vendors or other sites such as the NUALS hostel. Authorities have also ordered three hotels including ‘Pallath’ Restaurant in Kalamassery to close down and take corrective measures immediately.

Advice

Travellers should be aware that hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination. When there is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus, travellers can basically eliminate this risk by obtaining the vaccine prior to travelling and by exercising caution and avoiding consuming contaminated food and water.