Hepatitis Fear Grips Haryana Village as Illness and Deaths Raise Alarming Questions

A deep sense of fear has taken hold of Chhainsa village in Haryana’s Palwal district after a series of illnesses and deaths linked to suspected hepatitis infections. Families say sickness has spread across households, leaving residents anxious and searching for answers.

Over the past two weeks, several deaths have been reported. While officials confirm a smaller number, villagers claim the toll could be much higher. The repeated deaths and rising illness have created panic, with many residents describing the village as one gripped by disease.

At the entrance of the village, daily life appears normal, but inside, conversations revolve around illness and loss. Locals say almost every household has someone suffering from fever, weakness, stomach pain or jaundice-like symptoms.

Health teams have set up screening camps in the village to test residents and prevent further spread. Long queues can be seen outside testing centres as villagers wait to give blood samples. Doctors are distributing medicines, conducting screenings and identifying infected patients.

According to Vasudev Gupta, the nodal officer supervising the response, authorities are working to control both the infection and the panic. He said patients testing positive for hepatitis are being further evaluated and treatment will begin once reports are confirmed. He added that only a few of the recent deaths tested positive for Hepatitis B, and other medical causes are also being examined.

Health experts explain that Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood, unsafe transfusions, sharing needles or unprotected exposure to bodily fluids. Officials are also providing counselling to reduce fear among villagers.

However, many residents question whether unsafe practices alone are responsible.

Some villagers believe contaminated water may be the main cause. A canal passing near the village is suspected of carrying industrial and urban waste. Farmers claim the water leaves a dark residue on fields used for irrigation. Others say the drinking water supply is unsafe and that hard water is their only option.

Several residents who tested positive for hepatitis say they rely on the same water source daily. Concerns have also been raised about mosquito breeding and poor sanitation conditions around stagnant water.

Authorities have also explored the possibility of infections spreading through shared needles or unsafe medical practices. However, villagers dismiss widespread drug use, saying such activities are limited.

The crisis has exposed deeper challenges beyond disease. Poor sanitation, open drains, delayed medical care and lack of nearby healthcare facilities have worsened the situation.

One family lost a teenage boy after he developed fever and stomach pain. Relatives say they struggled to get timely treatment as hospitals delayed admission due to bed shortages. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died within two days.

As testing continues, the village remains tense. Each test result brings anxiety, while residents hope authorities will identify the true cause and prevent further deaths.

For now, Chhainsa faces not just a health emergency but a crisis of trust, infrastructure and public health safety.