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15 Hepatitis A Cases Spark Health Scare in Mangaluru
6 Jul
Summary
- 15 Hepatitis A cases detected in Mangaluru's Bunder, Dongarakeri, Alape areas.
- Health department intensifying surveillance and collecting water samples.
- MCC denies contamination in its water supply; third-party assessment underway.
Health authorities in Mangaluru have significantly increased surveillance following the detection of 15 confirmed Hepatitis A cases within the past month. These cases are concentrated in the Bunder, Dongarakeri, and Alape areas, raising concerns about the safety of the city's drinking water. Previously, residents in other parts of the city had also reported public health issues linked to unsafe water sources.
Dakshina Kannada district surveillance officer Dr. Naveen Chandra Kulal noted that sporadic cases are common, but the current cluster warrants close investigation. The department is actively collecting water samples to determine the precise cause of the outbreak and is conducting door-to-door surveys to assess the situation. Residents are advised to ensure food is thoroughly boiled and water is consumed hot for safety.
Meanwhile, Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath suggested the actual number of cases might exceed 15. The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), through Deputy Commissioner (Development) Naresh P Shenoy, has stated that initial tests of its supplied water revealed no contaminants. The civic body has sent samples for a third-party assessment to the College of Fisheries, Mangalore.
