Three children test positive for hepatitis at Ulana village

Tribune news service

Patiala, August 24

Following the jaundice outbreak at Ulana village of Ghanaur block of the district, three children have been tested positive for hepatitis on Saturday. Hepatitis is a disease which leads to jaundice. Out of nine blood samples of schoolchildren affected with jaundice, three have already been tested positive for hepatitis.

The district Health Department said two were found positive for Hepatitis A and one for Hepatitis E. The said results have confirmed that jaundice outbreak was due to the contamination of drinking water. 

Moreover, the Health Department said the outbreak was reportedly due to water contamination. Patiala Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said the situation at the village was under control as they were constantly monitoring the village. He said, “It seems it was due to water contamination. A warning on the water tank reading, ‘Water is not fit for drinking.’

Notably, the Health Department, during a medical camp, had found nine schoolchildren suffering from jaundice.  The Health Department said all suspected cases in the village were being treated and water tank was been cleaned. They said the water tank was chlorinated to kill certain bacteria and other microbes to clean the water.

Jaundice is a symptom, wherein, there is a yellow discolouration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by increased amounts of bilirubin in the blood, whereas, Hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage.