Hepatitis A cases on rise among kids in Shimla

Shimla: The health department in Shimla has reported a gradual rise in cases of viral Hepatitis among children at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Zonal Hospital during the ongoing month of May.As per officials, 11 children showing symptoms of viral Hepatitis have been admitted to the paediatric ward so far, with seven cases confirmed as Hepatitis A. Several other children with mild symptoms were treated on an outpatient basis. Chief medical officer Shimla, Dr Yashpal Ranta, said the cases had appeared gradually over the past month with nearly one case being reported every day or on alternate days. He clarified that no outbreak or clustering had been detected in any specific locality, as the affected children belong to different areas. As a preventive step, health teams have been deployed in affected areas to conduct active surveillance, identify additional cases, assess sanitation and drinking water conditions, and spread awareness about preventive measures. The department is also coordinating with other agencies to ensure safe drinking water supply and sanitation. Dr Ranta advised people to drink boiled or safe water, maintain hand hygiene, avoid unhygienic food, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain or dark urine appear.