Boy dies of hepatitis in south Kashmir's Kulgam, sibling hospitalised

Kulgam, Sep 19: A 13-year-old boy died while his sibling was hospitalized after contracting Hepatitis in Katrasoo village of Kulgam district, officials said on Friday.

An official said that three siblings from a family were infected with Hepatitis in Katrasoo. They were first taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to District Hospital Kulgam, he said.

"Two of them were shifted to the Children’s Hospital Bemina, Srinagar. One boy died while a girl is under observation at the Children’s Hospital Bemina. The third sibling has recovered,” the official said.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Abu Bakar Bhat of Katrasoo.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kulgam, Showkat Hussain told KNO that health teams have been deployed in the area following the reported cases.

He said the infection is likely Hepatitis A or E, which spreads through contaminated water and poor sanitation.

“There is no need to panic, everything is under control. We appeal to people to boil water before drinking and maintain proper hand hygiene,” the CMO said. —(KNO)