Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 28: At least 27 people, mostly children, were tested positive for jaundice in Gutligund village in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, raising concerns among the locals.
An official said that the screening process is underway and so far 27 mostly children have been tested positive for jaundice in the area.
He said that medical teams along with Asha workers have been carrying out door to door awareness campaigns to educate people how to keep themselves safe. “The situation is under control as all the patients are stable and recovering well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the local residents alleged that contaminated water is the main reason behind the outbreak with officials stating that water samples have already been taken, and the report is yet to come.
An official of Jal Shakti department said that water is being supplied to them after proper treatment and they are getting the water from the source, which supplies water to 30 villages.
He said some parameters have been already checked while some others are underway.
Meanwhile, the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has formed a five-member investigation team after a jaundice outbreak.
According to an order, the probe team will look into the possible source, preventive and control measures.
The team has been directed to visit the village and submit an action plan to Principal GMC Anantnag by the end of this month. It has also been directed to provide necessary health care interventions to affected people.
The team will be headed by Dr Mahbooba Rasool, Associate Professor, Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, while Dr Abiroo Jan, Associate Professor Microbiology, Dr Irfan Gul Associate Professor General Medicine, Dr Asif Aziz, Consultant Pediatrics and Aijaz Ahmad, Health Educator (UHTC Brakpora) will be its members.
