Kulgam, Nov 12: Nine cases of jaundice have been reported in Khaloora village of Kulgam district, with all patients stable and under surveillance, officials said.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kulgam, A. R. Shan, told Rising Kashmir that after the initial case emerged, a health team visited the village for sampling and monitoring.
“We’re in regular contact with the patients, and all are stable,” Shan said.
He said that the water samples from the village tested ‘unsatisfactory.’
“We advised residents to take necessary precautions, particularly to drink only boiled water,” he said. “Out of the 20 samples taken, nine tested positive. However, there is no need to panic, as all necessary measures are being implemented.”
According to a community health official, the outbreak surfaced when a child, later confirmed positive for jaundice, was taken to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag.
“After tracing his village, a health team was dispatched on October 25 for testing,” the official said.
All nine cases involve children aged 2 to 11 years, most of whom attend the Government Middle School in Khaloora, the village’s only school. Previously, due to infrastructure issues, it’s primary school was clubbed with the local middle school, serving most of the village’s students.
Sartaj Ahmad, a local villager, said the village relies on a polluted water source from a nearby river, with no alternative source available, causing hardships due to the unsafe and limited water supply.
Er Nawaz Ahmad said that Khaloora village has water supply issues, and a new scheme is being developed to address the issue.
He said that he is unaware of any water testing conducted in the village.
He added that the Jal Shakti Department is working to provide water through surface sources. “A scheme has been tapped at Gaswran near Veshow Nallah, where water will be lifted to an overhead tank. This project will take some time to become operational.”
