With summer starting to peak, cases of jaundice are being reported from high risk zones in the State capital. In the last one month, authorities informed that 10 jaundice cases, all of them from slum areas, have been reported. While cases of jaundice are still sporadic, doctors warn public to take precautions before a possible jaundice outbreak.
The areas from which the cases of jaundice were reported include Golnaka, Nallakunta, Barkatpura, Khan Bazaar in old city, Asifnagar, Ram Nagar, Dayara Market in Musheerabad, Kummarwadi, Humayunnagar, Ambedkar Nagar and Shiva Sai Nagar from Uppuguda.
Experts point out that the prime reason for jaundice is drinking contaminated water. “Public should boil water before they consume. They should avoid eating refreshments along the roadside, which are laced with ice because none knows the quality of water used to prepare the ice,” says Superintendent of Fever Hospital Dr. B.S.V. Manjula.
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Experts also point out the need to give more emphasis to strengthen the existing system of chlorination of drinking water during summers. “There is a need for a fool-proof monitoring system to check for chlorination. Use of pit taps during summer in old city and Bholakpur should be avoided. Public should shun consuming liquid foods like juices sold outside,” says former Chief Water Analyst of Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) G. Chennakesavulu.
The district health authorities have started conducting health camps in the areas where the cases have been reported. “We have distributed chlorine tablets and conducted health camps. We have also alerted other departments including Water Board and IPM to test for the quality of the water samples,” said district medical and health officer (DM&HO) Dr. Ch. Jaya Kumari.