Sikkim witnesses a sudden surge in Hepatitis ‘A’ cases, 33 cases recorded in December alone, with 33 confirmed infections from Gangtok’s STNM Hospital and CRH, Manipal. The sudden surge prompted State Authorities to convene a meeting on Tuesday headed by the Chief Secretary.
The High-level meeting directed officials to initiate contact tracing with awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on prevention, symptoms, and treatment of Hepatitis ‘A.’ Inspections of hotels, restaurants, and street food vendors will also be conducted by the department to ensure hygiene and sanitation standards are maintained across such establishment. The Rural Development Department (RDD) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department have been directed to test local water sources for contamination.
Health Department has issued a list of preventive measures for the public to follow. Residents are advised to boil drinking water for at least 10 minutes, practice regular handwash using the SUMAN-K method, and avoid consuming street food or food from unhygienic sources. Washing fruits and vegetables with hot water before consumption has also been advised to reduce the risk of infection.
Health Authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant for symptoms of Hepatitis ‘A,’ which include yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. The Department emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms are observed. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential in managing the disease and preventing complications. The State Government has called for public cooperation to contain infections.
In an exclusive interview with Sikkim Chronicle on Wednesday, Dr. Suresh Madan Rasaily, Principal Chief Consultant cum Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Gangtok addressed his concerns over the rising cases of Hepatitis ‘A’ in Sikkim. He urged the public to take necessary steps to avoid the contact of Hepatitis ‘A’ or ‘E’.
“If proper medical care is given to the infected patient in time, then the infection can be cured” he said. He advised the public to follow a healthy diet and in case symptoms are observed he urged the individual to go for a simple liver test (LFT) to detect infection at the earliest phase.
Dr. Rasaily also stressed on the need for individuals to be pro-active about their health by following effective health practices and not treating the infection casually. “Staying informed and taking precautions is crucial to control the spread of Hepatitis ‘A’”, he added.
Report : Mahesh Chhetri / Law Student
