Jammu, Aug 5:  Some 12 Hepatitis-B cases have been detected in Simbal camp area sending alarm bells ringing among the authorities of health and Medical Education department, highly placed sources said.
 Alarmed over the detections, sources said, the department has launched a special screening of high risk groups across the district.
 Most of the affected persons are associated with transport business and were detected with the disease during a camp organised by the Gastroenterology Department, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.
 “It was quite surprising as it was a routine camp during which the cases of Hepatitis-B were diagnosed”, said a health official.
 Officials said that health department which has already been working among the high risk groups for AIDS awareness, has now decided to organise more such camps and ensure community awareness about the Hepatitis-B as well.
 “It is an infectious disease and there is every possibility that a person having the virus could infect his family members and those who have close proximity with him. That is the main concern”, said the official.
 Around 40 million people in India are infected with Hepatitis- B and the risk of its transmission is hundred times more than that of the dreaded HIV. So far no major study has been carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, but hundreds of people could be carriers of the deadly virus.
 When contacted Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at GMC Dr Shoukat Chowdhary said, “Though it does not cover the general public data, but the detection among persons mostly drivers and labours is matter of concern”.
 He said that the disease is life threatening and if not treated on time. “Virus can cause inflammation of the liver which leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer”, he said.
 Hepatitis B is a blood borne disease which is more infectious than HIV virus. As per the medical experts, the best way to prevent this disease is awareness among the masses because if detected on time can be cured in 80 percent of the cases.
 The symptoms of infection include fatigue, joint aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, stomachache, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), dark urine and clay-coloured stools.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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