Hepatitis–E outbreaks in Kulgam village

Kulgam—The doctors have confirmed outbreak of Hepatitis- E at Ahmadabad village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam District due the supply of highly contaminated water to the inhabitants.

Five people in the village have so far been tested positive for the infection.

“As soon as we received the reports of jaundice cases in the village Ahmadabad we deputed a medical team,” said Block Medical Officer (BMO), DH Pora Dr Zahoor Ahmad.

He said eight people were found to have jaundice and their blood samples were taken for testing to Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) laboratory in Barzulla Srinagar.

“ Out of 8 , five have so far tested positive for Hep-E infection while the reports of other suspected cases  is awaited,” said Dr Zahoor.

He said that the medical teams have been stationed in the Allopathic dispensary in the village and they were monitoring the situation. Hepatitis- E is a liver disease caused by hepatitis E virus transmitted through contaminated water. The virus causes inflammation of liver, however, the infection is self limiting and not contagious unlike Hepatitis- C.

Doctors attribute the consumption of highly contaminated water by the villagers as the reason for the outbreak. “We also took three water samples for testing and the reports of samples is awaited,” said BMO .

He said that the people need not to panic but only consume boiled water and maintain proper hygiene.

Meanwhile a villager namely Abdul Rashid while talking to Kashmir observer alleged that“before outbreak this virus, we requested several times to Higher Authorities to provide filtration plant here ,but they didn’t pay any heed to our requests.”

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

MONTHLY	Rs 100
YEARLY	Rs 1000
LIFETIME	Rs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS