Punjab: 9 government schoolchildren test positive for jaundice; health department on toes in Patiala

PATIALA: Around nine students, including six boys and three girls of a government school have been tested positive for jaundice in Ulana village of Ghanaur block in Patiala district. The matter was brought to light by the ASHA workers who visited the school premises to create awareness about health schemes.
The ASHA workers reported the matter to higher health authorities that conducted a medical check-up in the village and found nine children were facing jaundice.The children were also having pale and yellow skin besides other symptoms of Jaundice.
After the matter came to light, the health department has been on its toes. The villagers too have been in a panic and claimed that their village water was also contaminated. The health teams have collected the samples from the school taps and other sources of drinking water.
After the investigation, it was learned that the students had consumed water from a nearby religious place where the water was contaminated.
“We have collected samples of drinking water from various sources and are trying to find out the reasons behind the outbreak of jaundice. The school-going children have been examined for jaundice however it was not clear if they were suffering from Hepatitis C which could be more serious,” said SMO Ravinder Rishi, Senior Medical Officer Harpalpur.