Jogindernagar grapples with hepatitis outbreak

Dipender Manta

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Mandi, July 24

Jogindernagar subdivision of Mandi district is grappling with hepatitis (jaundice) outbreak, affecting a number of persons. Since July 10 to till date, 58 cases of hepatitis have been reported in the subdivision.

The outbreak first came to light on July 10, when the District Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) in the zonal hospital, Mandi, reported 14 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A from the subdivision. In response, health teams led by the Senior Medical Officer in Charge (SMO I/C) of Jogindernagar and the Block Medical Officer (BMO) of Padhar, swung into action. They conducted onsite visits to the affected villages and initiated essential preventive and curative measures. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities were conducted to raise awareness among residents about preventive measures.

According to Chief Medical Officer Dr Narender Bhardwaj, the block health team of Padhar collected and sent eight water samples for bacteriological testing at medical college, Nerchowk, Mandi. The results, received on July 18, revealed that seven out of eight samples were classified as Class-IV (unsatisfactory), prompting immediate action by the Jal Shakti Vibhag Division and local health authorities.

“Further interventions were coordinated in a meeting chaired by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Jogindernagar on July 15. District Surveillance Officers and health officials coordinated with representatives from Jal Shakti Vibhag, Municipal Corporation and Public Representatives Institutions (PRIs) to ensure comprehensive measures such as water chlorination and cleaning of water tanks in urban areas of Jogindernagar. The meeting emphasised the intensification of IEC activities to educate residents on water-borne diseases” the CMO said.

“As of July 23, a total of 58 cases of hepatitis or jaundice were reported, with 53 individuals successfully treated and cured,” he said. In addition to the local efforts, authorities have implemented online monitoring and reporting systems.