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Sewage Contamination Triggers Hepatitis A Surge
13 Jun
Summary
- Eleven new Hepatitis A cases emerged Friday, bringing the total to 27 since Wednesday.
- Health Minister blames illegal water connections and MC for the outbreak.
- Residents allege delayed response from municipal corporation on contaminated water.
As many as eleven new cases of Hepatitis A were reported in Patiala on Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 27 since Wednesday. Five individuals are currently admitted to hospitals.
Punjab's Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, has attributed the outbreak to the municipal corporation's failure to decommission old water pipelines and to residents who installed illegal water connections. These connections, often leaky, reportedly allowed sewage to contaminate the water supply, particularly when residents used water pumps.
Dr. Singh announced a thorough inquiry into the matter, promising strict action against any officials found to be negligent. He urged residents to use only authorized water connections to ensure a clean supply and prevent future health crises.
Meanwhile, residents of the affected Dogra Mohalla locality have voiced frustration, alleging that their numerous complaints about contaminated water over several weeks were not addressed promptly by the municipal corporation. Patiala's mayor, however, stated that the civic body responded quickly and initiated repair work.
