Kochi: Special squads constituted by district administration have started raids on eateries in Kalamassery. Given the outbreak of infectious diseases like hepatitis district collector Mohammed Y. Safirulla has strictly ordered to close down all unlicensed eateries. Closure notice will also be served on those shops operating in a bad hygiene condition. As many as 43 eateries have been raided so far. The collector has convened a second round of meeting to review the situation and recommended activities on a war footing to contain the spread of diseases. The special team consisting of officials of revenue, health, food safety and municipal corporation has been conducting inspections of restaurants and eateries during day and night.
The wayside food vendors are under the scanner as the hepatitis outbreak has been caused due to the use of contaminated water by street vendors. Restaurant owners have been instructed to provide health cards to all staff within 15 days. The special squads have found that in many places, wastewater from hotels and restaurants reach the wells in nearby areas. Hygiene of ice making units, highly vulnerable to water-borne diseases, is a major focus of the inspection squad. Slaughterhouses have been asked to comply with the quality and sanitation norms. A team consisting of municipal councillors will be formed to conduct household visits in all the eight divisions.
