Jaundice scare in Shimla

SHIMLA: Shimla is witnessing unusually high number of jaundice cases these days, spreading fear among people. Around a dozen cases are reaching Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH), Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital and primary health centres in the town daily.
DDU medical superintendent Dr P L Gunta said they are receiving 4-5 cases of jaundice everyday and so far around 25 cases have been reported in DDU."Most of the jaundice cases have come from Taradevi, Kuftadhar, New Shimla, BCS, Shogi and Rohru areas of Shimla" he said.
IGMCH medical superintendent Dr Ramesh Chand said they have received around 15 jaundice cases so far. He said that many jaundice patients are also reaching primary health centres of Shimla. Sources said that in Taradevi area alone, 27 cases were reported. On Monday, health minister Kaul Singh Thakur took stock of the situation and directed irrigation & public health department to ensure regular water testing and chlorination of all water bodies.
While irrigation and public health (IPH) department chief engineer (Shimla zone) K C Dhiman said the 27 jaundice cases which were received from one particular colony of Taradevi area were due to their own negligence and not because of IPH water supply. "There is no need to panic if one or two cases of jaundice come from some area. If we receive a report of many people getting affected at a particular area due to water supply, we would definitely take stock of that area" he added.
Municipal engineer Vijay Gupta said that Shimla municipal corporation (SMC) took water samples from Kuftadhar, Bharari, Mehli, Panthaghati and BCS areas as many jaundice cases came from these areas but no contamination was found in those sample reports. "Most of the people residing in village areas are using water from 'boudies' (natural springs), which is affecting their health," he added.