Srinagar, Aug 08: Local residents of Riyar village in Khansahib area of Budgam that witnessed jaundice cases on Tuesday blamed Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide safe drinking water in the village.
On Saturday, the village mourned the death of a 10-year-old boy allegedly due to jaundice as the health department intensified surveillance and control measures to control the spread.
Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Riyar said the water tank where they get the drinking water was not cleaned for a long time which caused jaundice both in children and adults.
“The water tank has not been cleaned since 2010. The water we get is infected and polluted. The employees of the Jal Shakti Dept. are not serious about water sanitation and testing. They do not listen to us. It is a grave issue and can trigger disease anytime,” he said.
Bashir said the water tank gets water from Doodpathri water stream and it has made children susceptible to the infections. He appealed to officials of the Jal Shakti Dept. to take appropriate measures and check the water quality from the source point of the water.
Health officials said that a jaundice outbreak was reported in the Riyar village of Medical Block Khansaheb on August 02 coupled with an increasing number of jaundice cases.
As per the surveillance report details submitted by Block Medical Officer Khansahib to Directorate of Health Services Kashmir said the health teams that were deputed to the village have screened 1,778 people and taken 643 blood samples.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, said so far eight people were tested positive for hepatitis A and all of them have recovered.
“The situation is getting better and everything is becoming normal. We are now focusing on IEC activities and generating awareness among the people,” he said.
The health department has launched a door-to-door awareness campaign regarding preventive measures and health workers have been tasked to explain the same to people.
“People are being asked to use boiled water and no contaminated food should be taken. Vegetables need to be boiled and people should maintain hand hygiene,” he said.
Following the jaundice triggered by the supply of contaminated water, however, officials of the health department continue their efforts for curbing jaundice with the help of surveillance and rapid response teams of Block Khansahib.
As per health officials, interestingly, the water samples that were taken after the jaundice cases surfaced in the village for testing have tested “not satisfied”.
