Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 31: Multiple factors may be responsible for the emergence of Hepatitis A cases reported in the Gutligund area of Verinag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said today.
It has been stated that there is a lack of personal and environmental hygiene in the area, with waste being dumped into a water stream flowing through the locality.
“Hepatitis A is a water borne disease, but there is a need for looking at other sides as well. The survey we conducted in the area pointed to poor hygiene. However, I believe no single department can be blamed for this; multiple factors may have contributed to the outbreak of Hepatitis A,” officials told Excelsior.
Notably, 27 cases of Hepatitis A were previously reported in the area, all among children aged 6-16. This prompted authorities to take action and implement necessary preventive measures.
With the prime focus on “contaminated” drinking water being the source of infection, officials stated that test reports of water samples collected from the area are still awaited and are expected to be available in the coming days.
Following the outbreak, Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, formed a panel of experts to identify the source of the infection. The panel has been tasked with submitting an action plan in this regard.
The team was directed to visit the affected area and submit its action plan to the Principal of GMC, Anantnag, while also providing necessary healthcare interventions to the affected residents.
Although the team was expected to submit its action plan by January 31, it has not yet done so, primarily due to the pending water sample reports.
Officials added that, in addition to addressing hygiene issues in the area, they will also ensure that the filtration plant supplying drinking water to the locality is functioning properly and is maintaining the hygiene.
“We will examine this aspect as well to identify the source or sources of infection and implement preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future,” an official said.
A member of the expert panel mentioned that they are awaiting the water sample reports, and only after receiving them will they be able to submit their final report on the matter.
Initially, four cases were detected in the village, prompting the Medical Superintendent of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Dooru to alert district health authorities.
Following this, local teams conducted days of surveillance, ultimately confirming 27 positive cases of Hepatitis A.
As a precautionary measure, residents have been advised to follow all preventive steps, including maintaining hand hygiene, washing hands regularly-especially before meals and after using the bathroom-and boiling drinking water.
As part of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, medical teams have conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents about the disease and encourage necessary precautions.
Emphasizing the need to identify the sources of infection to prevent future outbreaks, doctors noted that Hepatitis A, which has primarily affected children, is self-limiting.
“It has its own incubation period, after which it resolves on its own. However, precautions and monitoring remain crucial, and these are being ensured. None of the 27 affected individuals required hospitalization. Maintaining hygiene is ultimately the responsibility of the residents themselves,” a doctor said.
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