Dozens test +ve for Hepatitis in Anantnag Village
With contaminated water suspected as the cause, over two dozen Hepatitis-A cases have been reported in Gutligund village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, prompting authorities to take swift action.
According to officials, 27 cases-all within the age group of 6 to 16 years-have been reported in the area, which falls under the Verinag medical block.
Following the emergence of cases, which began two days ago, officials stated that necessary surveillance has been conducted and samples collected from the affected area for testing.
“The total number of cases stands at 27, all falling within the 6 to 16 year age group, except for one 17-year-old. 10 blood and water samples have been collected for testing,” the officials said.
Contaminated water is suspected to be the cause, although officials emphasized that test results will confirm the source.
“The area is where the river Jhelum originates. A water stream passing through the catchment areas gets polluted, and it is likely this contaminated water that has caused the Hepatitis-A cases,” officials explained, adding that the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has been informed.
Initially, four cases were reported from the village, following which the District Health authorities were alerted by the Medical Superintendent of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Dooru.
“Subsequently, local teams conducted surveillance over several days, during which a total of 27 cases tested positive for Hepatitis-A,” a doctor supervising the surveillance teams said.
He described the condition as a “mild jaundice,” which is “self-limiting” and not a cause for concern.
“The situation is under control. The number of cases is decreasing, indicating that the infection is no longer spreading. However, we are ensuring all necessary measures are in place.”
Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and none of the infected children have required hospitalization.
To raise awareness, the Health authorities have initiated Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, educating the public about the disease and preventive measures.
Residents have been urged to maintain hand hygiene, washing hands regularly-especially before meals and after using the bathroom-and to boil drinking water.
Officials reported that teams are conducting door-to-door visits to educate residents about the disease and encourage necessary precautions.
Meanwhile, doctors emphasized that the increase in jaundice cases should not be labeled an “outbreak,” as there is no clustering or unusual surge in the number of cases.
In response, the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has formed a multidisciplinary investigation team to identify the source of the infection.
The team has also been tasked with submitting an action plan.
“A multidisciplinary team of…experts is constituted to look into the possible sources, preventive and control measures of the outbreak which has occurred in Gutligund, Verinag, district Anantnag,” read an order issued by the Principal GMC Anantnag.
The members include Dr. Mahbooba Rasool, Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Dr. Abiroo Jan, Associate Professor, Microbiology, Dr. Irfan Gul, Assistant Professor, General Medicine, Dr. Asif Aziz, Consultant, Pediatrics and Aijaz Ahmad, Health Educator (UHTC Brakpora).
“The expert team will visit the affected zone and shall submit the action plan in this regard to the undersigned by 31.01.2025. The team will also provide the necessary health care interventions to affected people
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