An outbreak investigation was initiated following an unusual occurrence of hepatitis A reported among people residing in the coastal belt of Vadi to Vedikunnu area, Kollam district, Kerala, southern India. The time frame of disease occurrence, pattern of its distribution, and the incubation period of hepatitis A infection indicated the probability of occurrence of the outbreak as a result of pipe line water contamination due to mixing of sewage from a canal. The results add evidence to the epidemiology of hepatitis A in the state and warrant the establishment of an efficient water quality surveillance system.

An outbreak investigation was initiated following an unusual occurence of kala azar reported among people residing in the tribal belt of Kulathupuzha area, eastern part of Kollam district, Kerala, Southern India. 2 cases of kala azar were investigated during 2016-2018. Epidemiological analysis indicated no epidemiological link between the cases. However the Visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis intruding into newer regions pose a major threat to ongoing leishmaniasis elimination and maintenance programs.

Kerala, the southernmost state in India, had been declared as malaria eradicated as early as in 1965. But imported and sporadic malaria used to occur even thereafter. Recently an increasing trend of both imported and indigenous malaria cases were observed in the State. [1][2][3] Number of malaria cases reported to the official disease surveillance system of Kerala state from the year 2012 to 2015 are 2036,1634, 1549 and 1751. 1,2 The causes of resurgence of malaria in Kerala are rather complex and includes interstate travel, importation of cases from other states, increased migration of laborers from other states, urbanization, absence of organized preventive public health system in urban areas and overloaded health system at peripheral level. 3,4 Kollam district is situated on the south west coast of Kerala. The numbers of malaria cases reported from the year 2012 to 2015 from Kollam district are 108, 82, 78,

An outbreak investigation was initiated following a report of unusual occurrence of acute gastroenteritis in Ashramam area, Kollam district, Kerala, India. House to house survey was conducted to identify cases. Person, place, and time analysis was done. Hypothesis was generated based on findings from cross sectional study, anecdotal evidences, laboratory investigation, and environmental observations. Univariate analysis was done generating odds ratios and confidence intervals to identify factors associated with the disease. A total of 57 cases were reported. Attack rate was highest among children younger than 14 years (22%). Among them, 91.2% (52/57) of the cases and 45.8% (169/369) of the people who had not developed the disease were dependent on pipe water (OR 12.31; 95% CI 4.81-31.52) for drinking purpose. The time frame of the disease occurrence, environmental observations, anecdotal evidences, and the results of analytical study indicated the possibility of the acute gastroenteritis outbreak as a result of pipeline contamination. The study warrants establishment of a good water quality surveillance system.