Over 200 samples collected; no fresh cases reported
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 12: The drinking water samples collected from Tarka Tachloo village of block Yaripora in South Kashmir’s district Kulgam after a spurt in the Hepatitis-A cases have turned out negative for Hepatitis-A Virus (HAV), officials said.
The samples of the drinking water were collected by the Health Department and the PHE Department after nearly 10 cases 10 Hepatitis-A were detected in the villages, out of which 2 minors died.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Kashmir Basharat Kawoosa told Excelsior that it has come to the fore that there is no contamination in the drinking water being supplied to the residents in the village.
“The samples which were collected by the PHE, as well as those collected by the Health Department, have come negative for any contamination that could have caused the disease,” he said.
He said that it is likely the case that one person was infected somehow and others, who turned positive, are the immediate contacts while impressing that there was nothing wrong with the drinking water.
“I visited Anantnag and took a review; from our side, we are clear that water is not the source of the disease which has infected some people in the village,” he said.
However, on the other side, the residents continue to allege that they were being provided with impure water for several years and despite bringing the matter to the notice of the concerned, the issue was not resolved.
While the Chief Engineer did not comment on the allegations levelled by the residents, he kept on insisting that the source of the disease is not the drinking water supplied to the residents.
“If the water would have been the source, then the cases would have been widespread, which is not the case,” he said.
On the other hand, the Block health officials told Excelsior that the reports of the samples of water they collected have not been received yet while they noted that they have carried out extensive screening after the cases of Hepatitis-A were reported.
Officials said that in the last few days, they have collected over 200 samples, out of which, they said, only 10 came positive, of which 2 minors lost their lives.
While the PHE has ruled out the water being the source of the disease, the health department, after corroborating the claims with the samples they collected, will try to find out other possible sources of the disease in the village.
Officials, however, said that those infected are getting the necessary treatment and are stable. “We have not had any new cases so far; the public is being made aware, they are being advised to exercise caution and take other necessary steps,” they said.
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