The day after the skies fell
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Monsoon Causes Spurt In Hepatitis Cases In Capital
New Delhi: With the onset of the rainy season, hospitals across Delhi-NCR are witnessing a sharp rise in cases of hepatitis A and E, prompting experts to sound the alarm on World Hepatitis Day on Monday. Doctors say the seasonal spike is linked to poor water quality, sanitation failures and unhygienic food practices, which put children, pregnant women and those with pre-existing liver disease at serious risk. Several city hospitals reported a 30-40 per cent increase in cases of acute viral hepatitis compared with the dry months. There was also a noticeable rise in outpatient visits for jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and other classic symptoms associated with hepatitis A and E. "In the last three weeks, we saw a 40% surge in acute viral hepatitis in our OPD," said Dr Abhideep Chaudhary, president-elect, Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI), and vice-chairman, HPB and liver transplantation, BLK-Max Hospital. "Most patients are unaware of hepatitis vaccination. Unsafe water and lack of awareness remain key triggers. Hepatitis E can be fatal during pregnancy, while hepatitis A can cause acute liver failure requiring, in some cases, a transplant." Monsoon problems such as waterlogging, sewage contamination, and open drains further accelerate the spread of hepatitis A and E viruses, particularly in urban slums and informal settlements. According to LTSI estimates and hospital data, over 70% of cases in India during the monsoon involve hepatitis E. Meanwhile, hepatitis A remains highly prevalent among children under 15. "This is a seasonal epidemic that returns every year, yet preparedness is lacking," rued Dr Sanjiv Saigal, president, LTSI. "Infection is entirely preventable through clean water, hygienic food handling and vaccination for high-risk groups. As we mark World Hepatitis Day, the focus must shift from treatment to prevention." The World Health Organization estimates that hepatitis E causes nearly 20 million infections globally each year, with a significant proportion reported from India. In urban areas like Delhi, aging water infrastructure, unregulated street food vendors and rapid urbanisation fuel such outbreaks annually. Chaudhary added that misinformation around jaundice being "self-limiting" often led to delayed diagnosis and worsened outcomes. "Patients believe they'll recover without treatment. By then, complications will have set in," he warned. As part of World Hepatitis Day initiatives, NGOs and public health groups are stepping up awareness campaigns in flood-prone and high-risk zones - organising health camps, distributing leaflets and advocating improved sanitation in vulnerable areas. "Our advice is simple: eat only well-cooked food, drink safe water and regularly wash hands with soap," said Dr Monika Jain, director, liver diseases and GI sciences, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. While hepatitis B and C often dominate public discourse due to their long-term effects, doctors stress that hepatitis A and E pose an equally urgent threat during the monsoon season. Symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, dark urine and yellowing of the eyes are often ignored until the infection has progressed dangerously. On World Hepatitis Day, doctors said the fight must begin with clean water, public hygiene, food safety and early intervention. These illnesses needn't be deadly because they're preventable.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
With onset of monsoon, Delhi-NCR witnessing spike in hepatitis A, E cases: Experts
New Delhi: With the onset of monsoon, Delhi-NCR is witnessing a worrying rise in the number of hepatitis A and E cases, according to experts. On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day (July 28), doctors have warned that the waterborne nature of these viruses makes the season particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially children, pregnant women and those with pre-existing liver conditions. Hospitals across the National Capital Region (NCR) are reporting an increase in the number of admissions related to acute viral hepatitis. Both the hepatitis A and E viruses, which are transmitted through contaminated food and water, tend to see seasonal spikes during the monsoon due to poor sanitation, waterlogging and compromised hygiene standards. City hospitals have reported a sharp rise in OPD consultations for jaundice, abdominal pain and vomiting -- classic symptoms of hepatitis A and E -- said Dr Abhideep Chaudhary, president-elect of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI). Chaudhary, who is also the vice-chairman and head of the department of HPB and Liver Transplantation at the BLK-Max Hospital here, said, "In our OPD, we have seen around 40 per cent increase in acute viral hepatitis cases over the past three weeks alone. Many of these patients were unaware of the need for hepatitis vaccination, especially those moving from rural to urban settlements. Hepatitis A and E are largely preventable diseases, yet we see a surge every monsoon due to poor awareness and unsafe water consumption." Hepatitis E can be fatal in pregnant women and can lead to acute liver failure in those with underlying liver diseases. In some cases, acute Hepatitis A can lead to liver failure, requiring a transplant, Chaudhary said. According to estimates from the LTSI and hospital-based surveillance data, more than 70 per cent of waterborne hepatitis cases in India during monsoon are attributable to hepatitis E, while hepatitis A remains highly prevalent among children under 15. LTSI president Dr Sanjiv Saigal said, "Cases of hepatitis A and E have gone up by 30 to 40 per cent as compared to last month. We are witnessing a seasonal epidemic that repeats every year and yet we are caught off guard every time. These infections are entirely preventable with clean drinking water, proper food handling and vaccination in high-risk groups. As we mark World Hepatitis Day, our focus must shift from treatment to prevention." The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that hepatitis E causes up to 20 million (two crore) infections globally every year, with India contributing a significant proportion due to seasonal outbreaks. In urban settings like Delhi, the mix of rapid urbanisation, aging water infrastructure and irregular monitoring of food vendors creates a breeding ground for viral outbreaks. Chaudhary said the current spike is a reminder of the systemic vulnerability people face every monsoon. There is also a dangerous myth that jaundice from such infections is self-limiting and does not need medical attention, he added. "In reality, delayed diagnosis can lead to life-threatening liver complications. Despite being a public-health challenge, these infections remain under-reported and poorly understood. Public education, early diagnosis and timely intervention are key to preventing avoidable fatalities and long-term liver damage. Community awareness, robust sanitation policies and school-based immunisation drives are the need of the hour," Chaudhary said. Several NGOs and health-advocacy groups have ramped up public awareness campaigns ahead of World Hepatitis Day, distributing educational materials, organising health camps and pushing for better sanitation in slum clusters and flood-prone areas. Dr Monika Jain, director, Department of Liver diseases and GI sciences, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute and Action cancer hospital, said, "During monsoon, we are seeing around 30 per cent jump in cases related to hepatitis A infections. We recommend eating properly-cooked food and washing hands with soap." The health experts emphasised that while hepatitis B and C get more attention due to their chronic and long-term liver damage, hepatitis A and E pose an equally serious threat in the short term, especially during monsoon. The symptoms -- ranging from fatigue and nausea to jaundice and dark urine -- are often ignored until the infection has progressed significantly." This year's World Hepatitis Day is a powerful reminder to act urgently and decisively against all forms of hepatitis, they said, adding that in urban centres, the battle must begin with using clean water, safe food, public hygiene and awareness to fight against hepatitis A and E.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
World Hepatitis Day: Half of acute liver failure patients admitted in ICU had Hepatitis A, say PGI doctors
On the occasion of world hepatitis day, the department of hepatology of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Monday organised a viral hepatitis screening and information camp at the liver clinic in the OPD. Accompanying attendants of the patients were encouraged to participate in the screening and were provided information about viral hepatitis and its importance, the routes of spread and methods of prevention. Officials said that the activity will continue throughout the week. Hepatitis B and C are silent killers that surreptitiously damage the liver over many years, leading to serious conditions like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), end-stage liver disease and even liver cancer. (Shutterstock) World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a group of diseases that can severely damage our liver. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's break it down' is to understand the silent threat, remove barriers to care including misinformation, and work together towards a hepatitis-free future. Dr Madhumita Premkumar of hepatology department at PGIMER highlighted that according to an observation, the last few years saw an increase in numbers and severity of hepatitis A virus infection. 'Almost half of the acute liver failure patients, admitted in the Liver ICU in the last two years, have been due to Hepatitis A, a serious cause for concern,' she added. Dr Nipun Verma, of the department of hepatology, said, 'Hepatitis A has also been presenting typically with prolonged jaundice and itching which may require steroids and even plasma exchange (a form of blood filtration).' Ajay Duseja, head of hepatology department said that around 800-1000 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) are seen each year at the outpatient liver clinic at PGIMER. 'All of these patients are referred from various parts of the country,' he added. While highlighting how neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, is a high burden state for Hepatitis C possibly due to intravenous drug abuse, Dr Sunil Taneja of hepatology department, said, 'Punjab has been at the forefront of the fight against Hepatitis C and its approach of decentralising diagnosis and treatment using a hub and spoke ECHO model has been replicated not only nationally but has garnered much international attention.' Dr Duseja explained hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver. 'Liver is a vital organ, performing hundreds of essential functions, including filtering toxins, producing proteins, and aiding digestion. When the liver is damaged by hepatitis, these functions are compromised, affecting our overall health and well-being. Viral hepatitis is caused by viruses predominantly Hepatitis A, B, C, and E. Hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water (feco-oral route). Infection with these viruses causes acute onset jaundice which is usually self-limiting but can sometimes progress to acute liver failure which is potentially life threatening,' Dr Duseja said. Hepatitis B and C are silent killers that surreptitiously damage the liver over many years, leading to serious conditions like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), end-stage liver disease and even liver cancer. Prevention: The first line of defence Hepatitis A and B vaccines are safe and highly effective Newborns should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth to prevent transmission from mother to child Consult your doctor to see if you need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B Safe practices Wash your hands thoroughly Ensure safe drinking water and food Practice safe injections Safe piercings and tattoos Practice safe sex Free treatment is available A significant step forward in our fight against viral hepatitis is the availability of free testing and treatment. The government of India, through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), offers free services for diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis patients, informed Dr Naveen Bhagat.
