Kerala Government Releases Health & Safety Advisory for Sabarimala Pilgrims

With the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple opening for devotees from November 17, the Kerala government has issued a detailed health and safety advisory amidst rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare infection that can lead to brain fever. Pilgrims have been urged to follow essential precautionary measures to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.

According to the advisory, devotees taking a holy dip in rivers must be careful to prevent water from entering their nostrils, as this reduces the risk of infection. Individuals currently undergoing medical treatment are advised to carry their medical records and regular medications, and to continue their prescribed course during the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims have been asked to trek slowly, taking breaks whenever they feel tired. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, congestion, or exhaustion should seek help immediately at the nearest medical centre. For emergencies, assistance is available via the dedicated helpline: 04735 203232.

Health Minister Veena George, in a press release, highlighted additional precautions. These include:

• Drinking warm water daily,
• Washing hands before meals,
• Cleaning fruits thoroughly,
• Avoiding stale or uncovered food,
• Using proper sanitation facilities, and
• Disposing of waste responsibly in trash bins.

Medical experts further recommend preparing the body for the pilgrimage by doing flexibility and stamina-building exercises a few weeks in advance.

To ensure medical support, ambulances and treatment centres have been arranged along the route from Pampa to Sannidhanam. A control room has been set up in Pampa, while emergency cardiology services and a cath lab are now operational in Pathanamthitta. Multilingual signboards in Telugu, English, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada have been installed across the pilgrimage route to guide devotees and ensure smooth movement.

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