Overview
- District and state officials reported at least six recent deaths tied to acute hepatitis or liver failure, while other fatalities remain under medical review and some residents allege a higher toll.
- Mass screening continues with hundreds to roughly 1,800 residents tested, and officials say multiple Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B cases have been detected while Hepatitis A and E tests have come back negative.
- Water checks found 23 of 107 household samples failing quality standards due to bacteria and poor chlorination, and authorities have supplied halogen tablets, RO or tanker water, vaccinations and a helpline.
- Probes now include possible blood-borne routes such as unsafe injections by unqualified practitioners and shared barber blades, though environmental transmission has not been ruled out.
- A central expert team visited on Tuesday, recommended wider testing including scrub typhus and heavy metals, and officials said no new deaths or hospital admissions were recorded after February 11.