Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has directed the food safety wing to conduct stringent inspections of bottled drinking water in Kerala in view of the spread of waterborne diseases.

Wayside food joints which are functioning in an unhygienic manner will be closed down. The food safety wing will intensify its checks to ensure that food safety and standards are maintained strictly by all food outlets.

A total of 155 cases of shigellosis, including the eight cases reported on Tuesday, have been reported in the State between January and June 16 this year. Of these, 77 cases were reported this month .

Five shigellosis deaths have also been reported in the State this year. Kozhikode has reported the highest number of cases, with 74 cases recorded so far this year. Malappuram has 14. Sporadic cases are being reported from most districts.

Dry day calendar to be released

The Minister said that source reduction remains a key strategy in preventing vector-borne diseases like dengue. A calendar for observing regular ‘dry days’ will be released by the Health department shortly.

Government offices and schools should mandatorily observe dry days in accordance with the calendar.