Pulwama, May 02: Several cases of jaundice have been reported from Naibugh village in Pulwama district, raising fresh concerns over water safety in the region.
A local resident Sajid Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that around eight children have tested positive for the viral infection. He said they suspect the outbreak may be linked to the consumption of contaminated tube well water.
“Some of these families have tube wells dug near lavatories,” he said, expressing concern that this proximity may have compromised the quality of groundwater.
Following local media reports about the outbreak, a team of health officials along with personnel from the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department visited the village. According to residents, the team collected blood and water samples for analysis and advised the immediate contacts of patients to seek medical attention if they experienced symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, or yellowing of the Skin or eyes.
Residents confirmed that the affected children are receiving treatment and that one patient has already recovered.
Authorities have advised the community to maintain proper hand hygiene and to consume only boiled or chlorinated water.
When contacted for comment, Incharge BMO Tral, Dr. Jawahira Akhter said she was in a meeting and unable to speak at the time.
Over the past few years, jaundice outbreaks have been reported with increasing frequency across South Kashmir. In March 2024, around 12 cases were recorded in Below village and nine in Dargund, Tral. A month later, cases surfaced in Arigam, Below, Drach, and Uthmulla.
Moreover, five cases were reported in Dangerpora in April, and a similar number in Khrew area of Pampore in June, 2024.
