Srinagar, Aug 06: More than 1,000 people, which include 790 children, have been screened in Riyar village of Khansahib in Budgam district following the death of a 10-year-old boy due to jaundice with the health department intensifying control measures.
Officials said that a jaundice outbreak was reported in Riyar village of Medical Block Khansaheb on August 02 coupled with an increasing number of jaundice cases.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, said 790 children in the age group 5-15 and 260 adults have been screened for the disease in the past six days.
“Apart from that 9 water samples, 120 blood samples for LFT and 355 other blood samples for detecting Bilirubin count/range among the suspected cases were sent to different labs for analysis. Ten samples were taken for Coaglogram and a test report is awaited from the district hospital,” he said.
Following the jaundice triggered by the supply of contaminated water, officials said efforts continued for the sixth consecutive day at Raiyar for curbing jaundice by the surveillance and rapid response teams of Block Khansahib.
“The health teams including senior doctors did a tremendous job and screened 134 patients, did 37 blood tests to suspected patients for detection of raising of serum Bilirubin,” he said.
Mir said on the other hand, 40 paediatric patients have been seen by the paediatrician at SDH, Khansahib and 34 blood tests were conducted at the SDH for detecting the disease.
He said three patients who had been admitted at SDH on Saturday for precautionary measures have been discharged today (Sunday) after their recovery.
“Ten (10) patients have been sent to District Hospital Budgam for Coaglogram test. Out of 71 blood tests, only four samples have shown elevated Bilirubin,” the spokesperson 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.
“Two paediatricians, medical officers and physicians along with 20 paramedics are also on job to tackle the situation,” he said.
“Situation regarding the intensity of this disease is under control. ASHAs of concerned areas along with health workers have been distributing chlorine tablets and ORS packets among the inhabitants at their doorsteps,” he said.
Also, field staff is continuously educating the people to take safe drinking water and also demonstrating the steps of hand washing to the people of this area.
“Keeping in view the customs, and beliefs of these tribals, IEC and effective communication skills need to be communicated for some more days in order to convince the tribal people to maintain and enhance their hygiene and take boiled water,” he added.
