Contain Hepatitis E outbreak

We are alarmed at the outbreak of Hepatitis E virus in Chittagong's Halishahar and Agrabad areas. According to our report, over 300 people have been infected with this virus in the last three months and since June 17 at least three people have died. People get infected with Hepatitis E virus due to the intake of contaminated water and food. In Chittagong's case, it is believed that the HEV infections have been caused by contaminated water. The picture of a woman collecting water from a tap that runs directly through a drain, published yesterday in this daily, speaks volumes about the lack of sanitation and availability of clean drinking water in these areas.

Underground water tanks of the houses in Agrabad and Halishahar areas regularly go under water during high tide, and this could be one possible reason for the outbreak because tidal water often gets contaminated with industrial effluents and human waste. Another reason could be the leaks in the water pipelines and sewerage lines that might have developed during the road development works in the area, as suspected by many residents. Whatever the reasons may be, they should be identified immediately in order to check the epidemic.

The managing director of Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) has denied the allegation of the presence of HEV in the water it supplies to the residential areas, without even carrying out any tests. Such denials will only worsen the situation. Instead, CWASA and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) should check the water pipelines in the areas to find out at what points leakages have developed and repair those pipelines. In the meantime, water purifying tablets should be made available to public and potable drinking water should be supplied to the areas worst affected. Since one out of 100 patients may die from HEV infection, the government should declare this a public health emergency and ensure that all the infected people receive proper treatment.