Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh: A sudden rise in Jaundice cases has been reported in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, where 39 people, including 14 students, have been infected over the past few days. The outbreak has primarily been reported from the Badu area, creating concern among residents.
According to the Health Department, the infected students belong to the Government School in Swahal village.
Cases Spread to Several Villages
Health officials said the first case of jaundice was reported on February 16. Since then, the infection has spread from Badu to several nearby villages.
Apart from Swahal, Badu and Mohin, cases have also been reported from Balih, Majhot, Ropa, Kathal, and nearby areas.
Out of the 39 infected patients:
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2 patients are currently admitted at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur
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About 25 patients have recovered
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12 patients are undergoing treatment at home
Health and Water Departments Launch Action
Teams from the Health Department and the Jal Shakti Department have been deployed in the affected areas to control the situation.
Block Medical Officer Dr. Ramesh Ratn said that with the increasing number of cases, daily water samples are being collected and tested. Residents are also being advised to boil drinking water before use.
Samples from the source of the local drinking water scheme as well as the supply pipelines have been sent for laboratory testing.
Water Supply Scheme Under Inspection
During preliminary testing, one water sample was found to be contaminated, prompting authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into the water quality.
As a precautionary measure, cleaning work of the drinking water scheme has been started, and the water supply has been temporarily suspended in some areas.
Officials say these steps are being taken to prevent further spread of the infection.
Residents Blame Industrial Waste
Local resident Vivek alleged that the outbreak is linked to contaminated drinking water supplied through the local water scheme.
He said wastewater discharged from factories located in a nearby industrial area could be polluting the drinking water sources, contributing to the rising number of jaundice cases.
Door-to-Door Screening and Awareness
Health department teams are currently conducting door-to-door medical checks in affected villages.
Residents are being advised to:
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Drink boiled water
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Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
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Follow precautionary health measures
Authorities are also distributing chlorine tablets to disinfect drinking water and reduce the risk of infection.
In addition, awareness campaigns are being conducted in schools to educate students about jaundice and preventive measures.
Investigation Into Cause Underway
Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department, Rajesh Garg, said the department received information about the spread of jaundice in Swahal and nearby areas, following which teams were sent to collect water samples.
He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the outbreak. Once the test reports are received, appropriate measures will be taken to control the spread of the disease and ensure safe drinking water for residents.