Doctors sound alarm over spike in Hepatitis A cases among children in Bandipora

Bandipora, Nov 17: Doctors in north Kashmir's Bandipora have sounded alarm over the increasing number of Hepatitis A cases among children in parts of the district.

The officials, however, say, there is no "outbreak" as such. Talking to Greater Kashmir, the pediatricians in the district said the number has witnessed a spike and cases are seeing a "surge on a daily basis."

"Sick children are reporting at the hospitals and clinics, after tests they are found positive to the Hepatitis," at least three doctors, including a pediatrician told Greater Kashmir.

They informed that "a large number of cases" are being reported from villages near NHPC power project at Kralpora, Mantrigam and Banakoot.

They said cases have also been reported from Kaloosa, Sonarwani and Athwatoo. They said the belt, where the Madhumati Nallah flows, has been "mostly affected," adding that from "the last two and a half months," cases have witnessed an "unusual surge."

The doctors said the children report positive to Hepatitis A, which is a waterborne disease and has a direct relation with the source of water from where it originates or is being consumed.

They added "sporadic cases" also continue to come in from other areas, adding that from Sumlar village too, Hepatitis cases are being reported for almost a week.

The doctors said the reason for these many cases is contaminated water consumption or either people do not have access to clean or filtered water.

On Sunday, it was reported that over three dozen cases of Typhoid were registered from Sonarwani village, however the officials denied it and said teams on field "have not reported back."

"We have advisories in place for prevention from Hepatitis " Chief Medical officer Bandipora (CMO) Dr Rafi Ahamd Salati told Greater Kashmir.

He suggested there was no "outbreak" as such, adding there were a good number of cases in the district. He, however said they had no reports of "spike as of now" stating teams in Bandipora continue to monitor the situation on ground, adding that "sporadic cases are there but it is not an outbreak or epidemic."

Dr Nabyeel Ishtiyaq, the district's Epidemiologist also informed Greater Kashmir about "sporadic" cases adding, "As such there was no case of an outbreak." He said he had two outbreak inputs from Bankoot and Arin side, but "both were closed."

The doctor said they have been taking data from GB Pant hospital in Srinagar too from which there have been "isolated or sporadic cases," adding that if cases from the district hospital are linked epidemiologically "we will declare that an outbreak." But as of now, he said, cases being reported "don't qualify for an outbreak."

Insiders however showed reservation on the official version and said the quality of water or sources in Bandipora needs to be investigated as the situation seems "alarming."

Dr Salati said the department has already issued the advisory on its prevention which includes uses of clean drinking water.