Shimla water suspect after hepatitis outbreak

SHIMLA - Authorities collected water samples for testing in this Himachal Pradesh capital Saturday after seven out of eight blood samples of jaundice patients tested positive for Hepatitis E.

The samples had been sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi and the results came Friday. The patients live in and around Shimla.

“This (Saturday) morning we again collected water samples from localities affected by jaundice. Since Hepatitis E virus spreads mainly due to mixing of sewage with the potable water, we are taking no chance. We are also guiding people to take preventive measures against the disease, but the water is perfect for drinking,” Municipal Health Officer Sonam Negi told IANS.

He said the problem of water contamination was identified almost one month ago and it has been rectified now.

District health surveillance officer Vinod Mehta said now the disease was under control.

“Since the incubation period of the water-borne disease is from 15 to 60 days, now only those patients are reporting to the hospitals who acquired the disease when there was problem of water contamination. Only four cases were reported yesterday (Friday) in Shimla hospitals,” he said.

So far more than 60 patients suffering from water-borne diseases have been reported, mainly from Khalini, Panthaghati, Vikas Nagar and Kasumpti areas of Shimla, he added.