After a death was reported from cholera in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala and with more cases being diagnosed, the state health department has issued an alert against the outbreak of the disease.

A migrant worker, Biswajit Das, 18, had died in Pathanamthitta due to cholera last week. 

The department has confirmed three cases of cholera in Kozhikode. 

Since it was identified that the disease was spread through contaminated water, authorities have asked for cleaning water sources at ground zero.

Health department has issued notice to medical officers of all the districts to get cautioned regarding this.

At present, three cases have been confirmed in the state and one death has been reported. Another three suspected cases have been found,'' Dr L Saritha, director of health services told The Times of India.

She also added that people should be careful not to use contaminated water for cooking or drinking and also warned against use of public comfort stations.

The department has strictly ordered to avoid open defecation and has asked for proper chlorination of drinking water.

As per reports, 2,97,284 diarrhoea cases were reported from the state. 

Biswajit Das was also admitted in hospital with diarrhoea.  

“The victim was living along with other migrant workers. We have screened the entire area. Another person also reported symptoms like diarrhoea but he was found to be cholera negative. Strict surveillance is needed in areas where workers are residing in groups. Better coordination is required between the health, labour and local self government departments for effective surveillance,” a health official was quoted as saying in DeccanChronicle.

Apart from contamination of water, this disease can also be spread through raw or partially cooked sea food. It can be easily spread through the faeces of the infected person.