Viral hepatitis cases detected in Rajouri town, health/PHE teams rushed.

SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI FEBRUARY 14:– Thirty-two cases of viral hepatitis have been reported from Jawahar Nagar locality (ward No.5) of Rajouri Municipal Council (MC) during the last few days.
Twenty-nine children are among these cases and have been checked and treated by the Mobile Medical Team & a health team from the Manjakot health block on the direction of Dr. Shammim Un Nisa, Chief Medical Officer.
“Jaundice occurs due to the infection from the hepatitis virus that is consumed by water. These cases could be of viral Hepatitis. However, the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine GMC Rajouri has been asked to send a team for further investigation” she said.
“People of the affected area have been asked not to use eatables from hawkers, use boiled or filter water, maintain personal hygiene” she added.
She further said Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti department (JSD) has been asked to check the quality of drinking water being supplied to this particular area and if found contaminated, take the necessary measures.
In viral hepatitis, the fever lasts only for two-three days and would not last beyond a week, according to doctors. But fever was the predominant symptom in leptospirosis-caused jaundice.
The supply of drinking water through leaking pipes passing through drains or consumption of ‘Gol Gappas (water balls) or other such items purchased from the hawkers can cause the outbreak of jaundice.
Dozens of people in the locality are suffering from jaundice for the last 10-15 days and were getting treatment on their own.
It was only on Sunday that the matter was brought into the notice of Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Kundal reportedly by a doctor and he immediately directed the CMO to take note of the matter.
Rajesh Kumar, Anil Kapoor & other residents blame the PHE for supplying contaminated water and not replacing the rusted and leaking water pipes, valves and for not cleaning the reservoir (supplying water to them) on the regular basis.
Mushtaq Chowdhry, Executive Engineer, JSD (PHE) denied the allegations and said the water supply to this particular affected area is being made from the same point and same Bore well from where the supply to more than 15 thousand population is made.
“No complaint of Jaundice has been received from other areas. Samples from the affected area have for testing” he added.
He further said that the reservoir of the affected area has also been cleaned.