Hepatitis A Outbreak in Sirsa Village Leaves Over 100 Ill, Two Girls Critical

More than 100 people, mostly children and young adults, have fallen ill with Hepatitis A in Desujodha village of Haryana’s Sirsa district, with contaminated drinking water suspected to be the cause of the outbreak. Two young women are in critical condition and receiving ventilator support at hospitals in Bathinda and Ludhiana.

The two patients have been identified as 21-year-old Prabhjot, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bathinda, and 18-year-old Preet Kaur, who is admitted to DMC Ludhiana. Several other patients are being treated at hospitals in Sirsa, Dabwali, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Rama Mandi.

According to village residents and sarpanch Charanjit Singh, the outbreak is suspected to have followed the supply of contaminated water through the village waterworks. Residents alleged that leakage occurred in newly laid pipelines during ongoing work to replace the old drinking water network, potentially contaminating the water supplied to households.

The number of people falling ill increased over the past week. Health officials have so far collected samples from 540 people, of whom 216 were identified as suspected cases. As many as 45 patients have been admitted to hospitals, including 26 aged up to 18 years and two children below five. A district administration team visited the village on Saturday and assured residents that clean drinking water would be supplied, medical services strengthened and treatment expenses of affected patients borne by the administration. Following the assurance, villagers ended their protest demanding immediate action.

Chief Medical Officer Pawan Kumar said four doctors and medical staff have been deployed in the village, while an ambulance has also been stationed there. Health teams are conducting door-to-door examinations, and a special testing camp has been organised for suspected patients. Officials said Hepatitis A had been detected among the affected patients and treatment was being provided at various hospitals. Residents have been advised to boil drinking water before consumption and maintain proper hygiene.

Public Health Department SDO Vishal Jiyani said replacement of the old drinking water pipelines was underway and was expected to be completed within 10 days. Repairs are also being carried out wherever pipeline leaks have been detected.