Bandipora, Nov 17: Doctors in north Kashmir’s Bandipora have sounded alarm over the increasing number of Hepatitis A cases among children in parts of the district. The officials, however, say, there is no “outbreak” as such. Talking to Greater Kashmir , the pediatricians in the district said the number has witnessed a spike and cases are seeing a “surge on a daily basis.
” “Sick children are reporting at the hospitals and clinics, after tests they are found positive to the Hepatitis,” at least three doctors, including a pediatrician told Greater Kashmir . They informed that “a large number of cases” are being reported from villages near NHPC power project at Kralpora, Mantrigam and Banakoot. They said cases have also been reported from Kaloosa, Sonarwani and Athwatoo.
They said the belt, where the Madhumati Nallah flows, has been “mostly affected,” adding that from “the last two and a half months,” cases have witnessed an “unusual surge.” The doctors said the children report positive to Hepatitis A, which is a waterborne disease and has a direct relation with the source of water from where it originates or is being consumed. They added “sporadic cases” also continue to come in from other areas, adding that from Sumlar village too, Hepatitis cases are being reported for almost a week.
The doctors said the reason for these many cases is contaminated water consumption or either people do not have access to clean or filtered water. On Sunday, it w.