Hepatitis outbreak creates scare in Pulwama village

Situation under control, people need to take precautions: Officials

Pulwama: The outbreak of hepatitis has created a scare in Agri Check village in Rajpora locality of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district with locals blaming Jal Shakti department for failing to provide them with potable drinking water.

Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are worried, as hepatitis has mostly affected children here and so far over one dozen children have taken ill.

They said that as there is no potable water facility and by consuming the contaminated water, several people have contracted the water-borne diseases like hepatitis.

They alleged that they are forced to consume water of a rivulet in which disposable items of various health centres are thrown and it gives rise to such diseases.

The villagers appealed to the deputy commissioner Pulwama and other authorities to take immediate steps so that hepatitis won’t spread further in the area and also provide them with potable water so that such situations won’t arise in future.

When contacted, block medical officer Rajpora, Dr Javaid Ahmad said that the first case of hepatitis was reported in the village some 15 days ago and after that, 13 more cases were reported.

“Soon after the first case was reported, a team was constituted and screening was conducted. So far, 14 cases have been reported and most of them have been discharged after recovery,” he said.

He also said that samples of water were taken in the area and the reports are ‘unsatisfactory’. “Our team is continuously visiting the area and close vigil is being kept on the situation so that this outbreak won’t spread further.”

He also requested people to take precautionary measures like drinking boiled water only, washing water storage containers frequently, washing hands with soap before eating food and avoid open defecation—(KNO)

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