Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2015

Investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis–A in village Sharair in Himachal Pradesh

Omesh Kumar Bharti, Vidya Ramachandran

Abstract :

Consumption of contaminated water from a local water source – “a Bawri” leads to An Outeak of Hepatitis A in a scarcely populated hilly Village, Sharair near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 2007. Background: Since January 2007 several outeaks of Hepatitis A were reported in and around Shimla town. On 13/8/2007 a paediatrician of Deen Dyal Upadhyaya Hospital, Shimla reported two hospitalised cases of jaundicefrom village Sharer, Shimla.Their attendants reported more cases in the village. An outeak was suspected and investigated to confirm diagnosis, control current and prevent future outeaks. Methods: Information on similar cases during the previous year was collected from local PHC and villagers. Changes in surveillance and population movements were considered. We defined as case as any person with history of acute Jaundice in the village. Sharair from 18/6/2007 to30/10/2007. Active house to house case search, line listing of cases, and descriptive epidemiology was carried out. 13 serum sample were tested for Hepatitis–A ,E, B and C antigens. Water samples were tested for coliform count Through a retrospective cohort study, we collected information on exposures using an interview schedule consisting of semi–structured questions Results: All 13 serum samples were found to be positive for IgM antibodies for Hepatitis–A, and negative for hepatitis E, B and C. Water samples from different Bauries tested positive for high coliform bacteria while tap water proved uncontaminated. Epicurve showed continuous transmission, Spot map indicated clustering of cases around the “peepal bali bauri”. Attack rates were more among 5–9 years and 5–44 years old. Both sexes were equally affected. Water drinking from the Peepal bali Bauri was significantly associated (CI 1.2–65.49 p=0.0077) Conclusions: An outeak of Hepatitis A was confirmed and caused due to consumption of contaminated water from local Bauries. Villagers were advised to cover the Bauri to decrease contamination by feet, drink water from the taps, given and taught to use chlorine tablets. Local health authorities were advised to enforce routine chlorination of all water sources in the village and monitor water quality as per national surveillance guidelines.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

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Omesh Kumar Bharti,Vidya Ramachandran Investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis-A in village Sharair in Himachal Pradesh Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.5, Issue : 1 January 2015

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