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Hepatitis Surge in Delhi-NCR Linked to Contaminated Water and Food
24 Aug
Summary
- 30-40% spike in hepatitis A and E cases
- Waterlogging and poor sanitation blamed for contaminated water and food
- Hospitals seeing 3-4 cases per week, up from 1-2 in previous years
As of 2025-08-25T00:29:41+00:00, Delhi-NCR is grappling with a concerning surge in cases of hepatitis A and E, according to local doctors. The region has witnessed a 30-40% spike in instances of jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fatigue, largely attributed to the consumption of contaminated water and food.
Experts have identified waterlogging and poor sanitation as the primary culprits behind the contamination. Both hepatitis A and E are waterborne infections, and the cases typically rise during the monsoon season. Dr. Neha Sharma of Fortis Hospital in New Delhi noted that while the hospital would usually see one or two cases in previous years, the number has now increased to three or four per week.
Dr. Piyush Ranjan, co-chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, stated that over the past few weeks, nearly 40% of their outpatient department consultations have been related to hepatitis. He emphasized that while these illnesses are self-limiting, they can take between two and six weeks for complete recovery, and patients must be patient if their bilirubin levels do not fall immediately.
Doctors have stressed the importance of basic hygiene and dietary practices in preventing the spread of these infections. Unwashed vegetables, unfiltered water, and a lack of hand-washing have been identified as significant contributors to the virus's transmission. Dr. Saurabh Singhal, director of the Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation at Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, urged people to be more vigilant about the safety of their drinking water and food.
With the situation showing no signs of abating, healthcare professionals have emphasized the need for increased prevention efforts, including vaccination for both hepatitis A and E, especially for vulnerable groups. They have also advised people to be cautious about consuming outside food and to ensure that their water purifiers are functioning properly and their refrigerated food is not contaminated.
