The disease is reported to have claimed the life of more than 60 people in the state till now.
The fast spread of the disease, mainly in the central district of Alappuzha, has pushed the state government into a sticky position with the opposition blaming the government for its failure to check it.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told the state assembly today that the government had asked for assistance from the centre in this regard. He added that the government would also focus on awareness programmes to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Replying to a submission by opposition leader Oommen Chandy, Achuthanandan said a date would be fixed for the cleanliness drive involving the state-sponsored Kudumbasree project, youth organisations and students as suggested by the opposition.
An all-party meeting would also be called to discuss the issue, the chief minister said.
The government has also formed monitoring panels at the state and district levels to oversee treatment facilities in the affected regions.
