Srinagar, Sep 19: In a heartbreaking reminder of the threat due to contaminated drinking water, a 13-year-old boy from a village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district succumbed to Hepatitis A late Thursday night.
The incident must awaken the people and the government towards steps to ensure clean drinking water; however, similar deaths in the past failed to do so.
Health officials report a concerning rise in waterborne diseases across Kashmir over the past two years. The deceased child, Abu Baker Bhat, was a resident of Katrasoo Kulgam.
He was treated at the local health center initially, and when his condition did not improve, he was referred to higher health facilities, landing up at Children’s Hospital Bemina.
Despite intensive care, the boy succumbed to chronic liver failure.
His sister is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
Doctors stated her condition to be stable.
Hepatitis A is a viral water-borne disease, usually self-resolving.
However, doctors at Children’s Hospital said, over the past few years, they have recorded many fulminant (severe) cases, and many deaths have also taken place.
They said it could be due to the severe contamination of the water that is being consumed.
Medical Superintendent, Children Hospital, Dr Abdul Rasheed Parra, said the cases of Hepatitis A have been higher than the trend over the past two years.
“We have seen a lot of patients with Hepatitis A in this hospital, which was not the case earlier,” he said. “The summer months brought a wave of patients, and water-borne diseases also rise after heavy rains due to contamination of water sources.”
Greater Kashmir had reported at least 134 young patients hospitalised in just the last two months of 2024.
In 2024, Kashmir saw a staggering 38 outbreaks spanning 10 districts.
The failing water supply systems are putting lives at risk.
This tragedy highlights the escalating Hepatitis A cases in Kashmir.
Clean drinking water remains a distant dream for many.
“Hepatitis A is preventable, but young lives are getting affected due to systemic failures in water quality management,” a senior pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. “A child should not die because of the water they consume. It’s not just a health crisis; it’s a failure of basic public service.”
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kulgam, Dr Showkat Hussain, said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident to ascertain the facts that led to the death of the child.
Teams from various departments have been deputed to the village.
Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, Kulgam, Muhammad Ishaq, said his department had actively chlorinated the water supply during and after rains to prevent diseases.
He said the family was consuming spring water, which was found to be contaminated.
