Srinagar: Panic gripped the village Turka Tachloo in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday after two school children suffering from Hepatitis-A disease died, officials said.
One of the affected children had died three days ago while another passed away today created panic among the people of the village Turka Tachloo.
The deceased school children aged 6 years to 8 years were suffering from the Hepatitis-A disease for some time and were under observation, Director Health Service Dr Mushtaq Ahmad told media persons.
He said eight kids from a private school of Kulgam district were taken for suspected hepatitis disease, out of which six were found positive, while two died. Hepatitis-A virus causes highly contagious liver infection.
He said 92 samples were picked up from the affected area and eight were found positive who were hospitalized for necessary treatment.
“We have collected water samples and samples from the people of the area were also taken for assessment”, Dr Mushtaq said and added, “Among the symptomatic cases one was expired three days ago and another died this morning”.
He said of the eight cases which were found positive four have been admitted to hospital.
He said the Public Health Department officials have also collected samples from the water reservoir of the area and have advised the people of the two neighboring districts of Anantnag and Kulgam to use boiled water for drinking.
“Our medical teams are constantly watching the situation for the past five days”, Dr Mushtaq said.
He also advised people to take preventive measures. “We have issued directions to the medical staff to check the samples of those who are in contact with the affected cases”, he added.
The director health said that “there is no worry to panic about the disease, the government is taking all preventive measures and are in constant touch with the district administration of Anantnag and Kulgam”.
UNI
