Pune sees uptick in hepatitis A cases this monsoon; contaminated water suspected as primary cause
Data from the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) health department has corroborated this observation, showing viral hepatitis cases more than doubled in the March-June 2025 period (57) against the corresponding months last year (26). With significant rainfall in July, doctors are seeing a further rise in cases, though the civic body is yet to collate the data for the month.
Dr Piyush Chaudhary, infectious disease specialist at Jehangir Hospital, said that while monsoon season typically witnesses a surge in jaundice cases, this year's pattern stands out.
"Every monsoon there is a sort of surge in cases of jaundice per se. But this year the monsoon also has come earlier and the cases of hepatitis A are also relatively more in number compared to every year," he said.
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More concerning, according to Dr Chaudhary, is the severity of cases. "More importantly, the proportion of severe cases of hepatitis A is relatively more this year compared to the last several years. Severe and fulminant hepatitis is typically associated with hepatitis E, but this year, hepatitis A cases are presenting with more severe symptoms.
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The trend appears to be city-wide rather than confined to specific areas.
Even physicians from PCMC areas report the same," Dr Chaudhary said.
Dr Amol Dahale, a gastroenterologist from a PCMC area, said this time, they are witnessing a significant surge in hepatitis A cases, and the course of the illness also appears more prolonged. "Around May-June last year, I saw close to 30 patients. This year, during the same period, that number has jumped to nearly 70.
I suspect that both water and food contamination are contributing factors. Most of these patients reported eating outside food — items like take-out chutneys and similar high-water-content preparations — which could be potential sources of infection," he said.
Dr Prasad Bhate, head of gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Baner, who also runs a clinic in a PCMC area, said, "Based on the number of hepatitis A patients I am seeing in the PCMC areas, the surge appears to be two to three times higher than the number reported during the same period last year.
The most likely cause is contaminated water."
Dr Govind Kulkarni, consultant physician at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Nagar Road, said, "We are seeing patients from areas where the water may be contaminated. Like last week I saw a patient from near Sanjay Park near the airport area with hepatitis A," he said. "Last year there weren't many hepatitis cases but now there seem to be more cases as I have seen a few patients this season."
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, causing inflammation and temporary liver dysfunction. Water contamination in the context of hepatitis A occurs through two primary pathways that pose significant health risks during monsoon seasons. The first is direct contamination, where sewage containing fecal matter mixes with drinking water supplies due to overflowing drainage systems, broken pipelines, or inadequate sewage treatment during heavy rain.
This creates a direct route for the hepatitis A virus to enter the water supply. The second pathway involves indirect contamination through food preparation, where vegetables, fruits, or cooking utensils are washed with contaminated water, transferring the virus to food items that are then consumed.
"Basically, it's water contamination, rainwater gets mixed up with drinking water," Dr Kulkarni said.
Dr Hillary Rodrigues, family physician, explained that hepatitis A is particularly common during monsoon season due to water contamination and consumption of street food kept in open conditions.
"The infection can also spread through food being served by someone who is suffering from hepatitis A," he said.
According to Dr Rodrigues, who has also seen some cases this month, symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, weakness, and later stages show high-colored urine and a yellowish tinge in the eyes. He recommended that people visiting hepatitis-prone areas or frequently eating out consider hepatitis A vaccination, which involves two injections — the first dose followed by a second dose after six months. "Boil your filtered water for five minutes, wash hands regularly, avoid raw food and open street food to stay safe," Dr Rodrigues said.
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