Kerala: disease

An unexplained foot disease has caught students in the Areekode and Vandoor region of Kerala’s Malappuram district unawares and virtually crippled. According to reports, the rare foot disease has reportedly immobilised young students in the age group of 5 to 12 years.

Eyewitnesses say some students are unable to walk and attend school. Dr. K. Sakeena, district medical officer (DMO) of Malappuram, told TSI that experts had visited the affected schools and inspected students.

“From our findings we have come to know that wearing of cheep quality chappals (footwear) by students may be one of the causes for the spread of the disease. But we have to analyse more cases. Some students suffering from the disease will be taken to the Kozhikode Medical College. Chemical sample tests and biopsy are needed. It will take more than a month to find out the real reason,” adds Dr. Sakeena. There is good reason to worry because according to Dr. Sakeena, the number of students suffering from this unexplained foot disease has touched the 10,000-mark. Parents are having the time of their lives carrying children and wards on their shoulders to write their examinations, confirms a school teacher.

Naturally, this rare disease has evoked the awareness of health organisations and teacher groups who have been compelled to take notice.

To gauge the spread of this epidemic, a survey conducted found out it was mainly concentrated in more than 10 panchayats in the Malappuram district. The unofficial figures vary with some putting the number of affected students to 25,000. By no means is this threat new to the state.