The water contamination in Haryana's Palwal region has sparked widespread panic among residents in the area. At least 12 people, including five children, have died so far at Chayasana. The health department launched a probe into the incident to identify the cause of the death.
According to health officials, the deaths occurred between late January and mid-February. Most of the deaths were due to liver-related issues, said the health officials.
Preliminary probe revealed that viral hepatitis and possible water contamination were the cause of the deaths.
In January, jaundice-related deaths were first reported in Chayasana. A day later, the rapid response team were deployed along with the setting up of medical camps, and door-to-door surveys were launched.
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As many as seven deaths were reported between January 27 and February 11. Among those, four of the deaths were due to acute hepatitis or liver failure. Patients exhibited symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, jaundice and vomiting.
The Haryana incident is reported weeks after 16 people died from water contamination in Madhya Pradesh's Indore last month.
Palwal chief medical officer Satinder Vashisth said that extensive screening and testing are underway. "Around 1,500 people, including close contacts of the deceased, have been screened so far. Blood samples are tested for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E," he added.
The health department is awaiting the results for scrub typhus. Though some patients tested positive for Hepatitis B and C, all samples tested negative for Hepatitis A and E.
During the water samples test, coliform bacteria were detected in storage tanks. Chlorine was found to be absent in dozens of samples as well.
Residents in the area rely on water supply, underground storage tanks, and tankers.
