50 suspected Hepatitis-E cases reported in Chandkheda

Nearly 50 people are suspected to be suffering from Hepatitis-E in the Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad,reportedly after consuming contaminated water.

Nearly 50 people are suspected to be suffering from Hepatitis-E in the Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad,reportedly after consuming contaminated water. Samples have been sent for further investigations, said S P Kulkarni,Medical Officer,Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). V S Hospital authorities,meanwhile,confirmed that of the five samples sent to them,four were tested positive for Hepatitis E.

Rusty and leaky water pipelines in the area are suspected to be the main reason behind the contamination,which led to the outbreak.

The pipelines here are nearly 40-year-old, said Dr Bharat Bodhe,Assistant Health Officer,West Zone.

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The first case was reported on October 20 after which a daily house-to-house survey of the area was launched to keep a tab on the situation,said Bodhe.

All the cases have been reported from Chandan

Nagar and Ambika Nagar at Chandkheda. A mobile medical van has been pressed into service in the affected area, he said,adding that the chlorine level in the water being supplied there has been increased.

According to Kulkarni,they had they received complaints about contaminated water from the area around a month ago. Subsequently,the AMC engineering department was alerted and repair work was launched. But the virus has an incubation period of 15 to 45 days. Therefore,those who consumed water at that time are at risk now, he said.

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