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Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pune sees uptick in hepatitis A cases this monsoon; contaminated water suspected as primary cause
Pune: The city has seen a noticeable increase in hepatitis A cases this monsoon season, with doctors reporting not just higher numbers but also more severe presentations compared to previous years. 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. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo 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.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Uptick in Covid cases, symptoms mostly mild
Pune: Several city hospitals are of late reporting an uptick in Covid-19 patients, most with mild symptoms. Dr Piyush Chaudhary, an infectious disease specialist at Jehangir Hospital, confirmed the uptick in cases. "The number of cases being detected is definitely increasing, but predominantly they are milder. Only patients who are elderly or have comorbidities with multiple medical problems are experiencing severe disease," he said. The hospital currently has two Covid patients in the ICU, both elderly individuals aged 75-80 years with multiple underlying health conditions. Healthcare professionals are observing a growing demand for precautionary vaccine doses amid increase in Covid cases. Reasons: Patients' immunity from last shots in 2022 has begun to wane and current variants differ from those the earlier vaccines were designed to combat. Most new cases are being attributed to the Omicron sub-variant JN.1. Other strains, including NB 1.8.1 and LF.7, are also under observation, according to recent reports. Dr Chaudhary said, "The increase in Covid cases has been noticeable over the last two weeks, with more cases appearing this week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eternia Spacious 3 & 4 BHK Residences for Grand Living Eternia Residences Learn More Undo It's gradually increasing." He attributed part of the rise in detected cases to increased testing. "Now that Covid is everywhere in the news, people are testing more," Dr Chaudhary said. "While there is increased interest from patients regarding vaccination, Covid vaccines are currently not available in the market. The vaccines we previously administered offer some protection against severe disease, though they were formulated for earlier variants. An updated vaccine would help boost antibody response and provide enhanced protection against current strains," he said. Dr Ameet Dravid, an infectious diseases expert with Noble Hospital, said, "There's a definite uptick in Covid cases. This week we've had around six cases, with the majority seen in the outpatient department. Two patients are currently admitted in the ICU." He said, "One is 25-year-old, who developed seizures after having fever for two days and tested positive for Covid. The second is a 70-year-old woman, who came with breathlessness. We initially thought it was heart-related, but her Covid test also came positive. Both ICU patients are recovering." Dr Dravid, "Swab samples of the patients have gone to NIV, and only those confirmed by it will be part of government Covid data statistics. The actual number of cases is likely to be much higher because private labs are testing but government reporting only includes NIV-confirmed samples." He said there had been an uptick in upper respiratory tract illnesses, with some turning out to be Covid. The majority were H1N1 or swine flu, though. Dr Ajit Tambolkar, intensivist at Poona Hospital, said, "We have a Covid patient, a 70-year-old diabetic man, in the isolation ward. He doesn't require ICU care. Another was discharged recently — a young girl with no comorbidities but had recent travel history. She has been discharged. The 70-year-old man initially needed oxygen, which was stopped on Friday. These cases came in the last seven days. We had no Covid cases before that. Symptoms are mild — cough, cold, fever and flu-like symptoms. We suggest people seek medical intervention if their symptoms last for more than three days." Dr Nikhil Phadke, founder-director and chief science officer of GenePath Diagnostics, said "We have started seeing Covid positives again after a long time in the past 10 days. But the uptick doesn't seem dramatic so far." A senior state health department official said, "No Covid vaccine is available currently because manufacturing stopped due to reduced demand in the past. The latest uptick in Covid cases is expected as it's endemic, and we have more H1N1 cases than Covid at present. Vaccination is a preventive policy when infections are on a large scale. According to public health experts, Covid vaccination is not required currently as it is endemic and the number of such cases is within normal parameters. "
