Hepatitis A surge triggers alarm in district, officials call for vigil

As many as 25 cases of the infection have been reported in Kollam in the past two weeks

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kollam

THE death of two sisters from Kollam while under treatment for Hepatitis A last week, and the rise in cases in the district has sparked concerns among residents and health officials alike.

Neetu M, 17, of Thrikkovilvattom panchayat died of Hepatitis A at the Thiruvananthapuram MCH, two days after her 19-year-old sister Meenakshi M, succumbed to the infection at the same hospital. As many as 25 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported in Kollam in the past two weeks.

Health officials said many people suffering from fever are opting for self-treatment without undergoing proper testing, delaying diagnosis and enabling the virus to spread. The ongoing heatwave and lack of awareness campaigns have exacerbated the situation.