Hepatitis outbreak in Darjeeling

Amitava Banerjee, HT, 9 Sep 2016, Darjeeling: There has been a sudden outbreak of acute viral hepatitis (non-B, non-C) in Darjeeling for a week now. Many patients have been admitted in the government hospital here and private nursing homes with symptoms such as fever, body ache and finally jaundice. The blood samples that were collected have tested positive for hepatitis A. The tests were carried out on the direction of the chief medical officer of health (CMOH), Darjeeling, Dr Asit Kumar Biswas. The situation is under control, he said.

“Tests conducted in the local laboratory have ruled out hepatitis B and C, hence the terms non-B, non-C. So far, all the cases reported are of hepatitis A,” said Dr Plaban Das, the director, Darjeeling and Dooars Medical Association, commonly known as Planters Nursing Home.

According to the World Health Organisation, hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infected person. Almost everyone recovers fully from this variety of the disease with a lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A die. One can contract this virus in the absence of safe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene (such as dirty hands). The most effective ways to combat the disease are by drinking purified water, improve sanitation, hand washing and a hepatitis A vaccine.

A week ago the outbreak started with more than 30 students of St Paul’s School falling sick. They were admitted at Planters. The symptoms include fever, body ache, in some cases loose motion and then jaundice.

“The clinical symptoms point at hepatitis. Then patients from elsewhere started arriving with similar symptoms. Hepatitis C and D were ruled out by lab tests at Planters. For hepatitis A and E lab tests are done in Kolkata, so I informed the CMOH of an outbreak. The health department took prompt action. A team of doctors arrived and blood samples of five patients were sent for lab tests by the health department,” said Dr Das.

“The patients have tested positive for hepatitis A. They are being treated and the situation is under control,” said Dr Biswas. In the past week, Planters alone has had more than 40 such cases. The figures for the government hospital are not available.

“The biggest problem is that there are no medicines for hepatitis A. It heals by itself. However, the patient should take a lot of rest with intravenous fluids being administered along with supportive treatment. The patient’s immunity is also a very important factor. As precautionary measures, personal hygiene; boiling drinking water for more than 20 minutes; sterilising utensils is very important,” added Das.

Reverend Joy Haldar, the rector of St Paul’s School, said, “The students had consumed outside food and water in Ghoom during a marathon following which they fell ill. We have proper water treatment facilities in the school.”