Mainpat deaths trigger jaundice scare, govt probe finds no evidence of outbreak

Raipur: Reports of five deaths allegedly linked to jaundice in Surguja district’s Mainpat region have sparked concern in several villages, but a state govt probe has concluded that the fatalities were caused by different medical conditions and cannot be collectively attributed to ‘jaundice’ or a water-borne outbreak.The issue came to light after residents of villages including Narmadapur, Kuniya, Barima, Baigahwa and nearby areas claimed that several people had died over the past few weeks after developing symptoms commonly associated with jaundice. Villagers also reported that more than a dozen others were undergoing treatment in hospitals in Ambikapur and Raipur.The reports prompted the health department to deploy medical teams and set up camps in the affected villages. Water samples were collected and door-to-door health surveys launched amid fears of a possible outbreak.However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the state govt said a joint team comprising officials from the health, revenue and public health engineering departments found no evidence of a common infection or a cluster outbreak during its field investigation.According to the statement, the team conducted verbal autopsies, interacted with family members of the deceased, examined suspected patients and inspected drinking water sources. The inquiry found that the reported five deaths were linked to different medical causes.The govt said Jitendra Yadav of Kuniya village died due to septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, while Bhagwati Yadav of Barima had tested positive for Hepatitis-A but medical records from hospitals in Raipur cited liver-related complications and cardio-respiratory arrest as the immediate cause of death.Officials said medical reports relating to Vikas Yadav of Barima mentioned different clinical causes. Another deceased was reportedly suffering from sickle cell disease since childhood and was not diagnosed with hepatitis. Akanksha Yadav of Kesra village was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis and respiratory ailments and was not found to be suffering from hepatitis, the statement added.The govt further stated that all the deceased belonged to different villages and hamlets located 15-20 km apart. Health teams surveying their families and neighbouring households did not find jaundice or hepatitis symptoms among other members, making a common water-borne infection unlikely, according to the probe findings.Local residents, however, continue to express concern over the number of illnesses reported in the region and have sought better healthcare access and monitoring. Some villagers had earlier alleged that people experiencing symptoms such as weakness, vomiting and yellowing of the eyes had to travel to Ambikapur and Raipur for treatment.Residents of Narmadapur and nearby villages, however, questioned the official findings, saying several people had developed jaundice-like symptoms in recent weeks. A patient receiving treatment had alleged that health camps were set up only after reports of deaths surfaced in the media. Villagers claimed that a number of residents had to travel to Ambikapur and Raipur for treatment as their condition worsened.Health officials said surveillance in the area will continue as a precaution. Door-to-door screening, distribution of medicines and chlorination of drinking water sources are being carried out in the affected villages. Residents have been advised to immediately report symptoms and avoid relying on rumours.While the death triggered fears of a jaundice outbreak in Mainpat, authorities maintain that the investigation so far has found no evidence linking the fatalities to a single disease outbreak. Further monitoring and medical scrutiny are continuing in the region.