Early Times Report
Anantnag, Feb 26: As many as eight people have tested positive for Hepatitis-E in Chek-e-Wagund village of Qazigund, Anantnag, health officials told on Friday.
Block Medical Officer, Qazigund, Dr M Y Zagoo told media that they had sent a medical team to the village to assess the situation after receiving a complaint of jaundice. He said last Friday, his office received a complaint of jaundice from the village after which a medical team visited the village and carried out medical investigation. "A complaint of jaundice was reported from the village. Acting on that, a medical team visited there for medical checkup," Dr Zagoo said.
He said that medical team found that 35 villagers among 107 were infected by Jaundice. "After blood sampling, eight people tested positive for Hepatitis-E," he added. The BMO said that they hadn't yet completed the medical investigations and claimed that two medical teams had been deputed to the village to monitor the situation. Hepatitis-E disease is mainly attributed to improper treatment and disposal of human waste and lower standards for public water supplies. Meanwhile, Chek-e-Wagund residents today blocked Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and accused health department of risking their lives. They also held protest against PHE department for allegedly supplying contaminated water to them, which according to them, was the reason for the outbreak Hepatitis-E. "Health Department hasn't taken any step to ensure our safety. Primary Health Centre of the village is short of doctors and paramedical staff which exposes the tall claims of the health department," angry protesters said, demanding adequate staff and other facilities.
Protesters later dispersed off peacefully and allowed traffic to play on National Highway after Tehsildar Dooru visited the spot and gave them assurance that he would take up the matter with higher-ups of the department and district administration.
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