Jaundice in Shimla: J.P. Nadda Sanctions Funds to Study Causes

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda sanctioned funds to conduct study and prevent the recurrence of jaundice after the large-scale outbreak of the water-borne disease in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Asking the state to take necessary steps to handle the situation, Nadda said Rs.70 lakh has been sanctioned by the health ministry to the Indian Council of Medical Research to conduct a study so that recurrence of this situation can be avoided.

Jaundice: Causes Symptoms Treatment
Jaundice is yellowing of skin, conjunctival membranes of eyes and other mucous membranes due to elevation of bilirubin levels in blood. Jaundice can be a sign of an underlying major disease.

‘Eleven have lost their lives and more than 1500 are affected with jaundice in Shimla. So, the centre has sanctioned funds for the prevention of recurrence.’

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"We are monitoring the situation closely and have already offered all assistance to the state government. I urge the state government to take all necessary steps by improving sanitation and checking supply of contaminated water," Nadda said in a statement.

More than 1,500 cases of jaundice have been reported so far in Shimla and 11 people lost their lives due to the water-borne disease.

Most of the jaundice cases have been reported from Chhota Shimla, Panthaghati, Vikas Nagar, New Shimla and Kasumpti, a health officer said.

Diet during Jaundice
Jaundice can be a serious health risk if not treated and it is essential to make changes to the diet for tissue regeneration and to prevent further liver damage. Read this article to know the foods you should include and avoid during jaundice.

In 2007, 2010 and 2013, many in the town tested positive for Hepatitis E, a liver problem caused by consumption of water contaminated by sewage.

The minister, who belongs to Himachal Pradesh, said a team of the National Centre for Disease Control visited affected-areas to assess the situation and give expert advice to the state government on how to handle the situation.

Gilbert’s Syndrome-Causes-Symptoms-Complications-Prognosis-Diagnosis-Treatment
Gilbert’s syndrome is a common, mild liver disease in which a liver enzyme required to process bilirubin is abnormal. Treatment is unnecessary.

The team advised that the sanitation and cleanliness in affected areas need to be improved and contamination of water needs to be checked.

The civic authorities suspect that mixing of sewage with potable water has caused the spread of the water-borne disease.

Neonatal Jaundice - Overview and History
Yellow colouring of skin in newborns, a condition called Neonatal jaundice. , Neonatal jaundice is caused by presence of excessive serum bilirubin.

Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar said that effluents from the sewerage treatment plant in Malyana, located in the vicinity of the Ashwani Khud drinking water scheme, was mainly responsible for water contamination.

The Ashwani Khud drinking water scheme supplies water to a third of Shimla's population.

Panwar said the government-run treatment plant uses an outdated technology for reusing the water.

Planned for a maximum population of 16,000, Shimla is currently home to 170,000 people as per the 2011 census and generates 30.09 million litres of sewage every day.

Source-IANS