Palwal Hepatitis Surge: Positivity Rates Triple

Hepatitis B infections in Palwal district have seen a sharp rise, with positivity rates more than three times higher than in recent years. Data from the first four months of 2026 indicates a 1.07% positivity rate for Hepatitis B, a significant jump from 0.30% in 2025.

Active Hepatitis B cases have steadily climbed, reaching 198 by April 30, 2026, up from 43 at the start of 2023. Hepatitis C cases also show an upward trend, with 268 active cases by the end of 2025. Health officials attribute this increase partly to expanded screening efforts.

While Hepatitis C treatment outcomes have been more encouraging, with a high cure rate after therapy, Hepatitis B patients show lower rates of viral suppression. This disparity highlights the different management approaches required for each virus.

An earlier outbreak in Chainsa village has been linked to increased infections and underscores existing surveillance infrastructure gaps. Efforts are underway to revive advanced viral load testing facilities.