Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a worrying surge in Hepatitis cases, prompting health authorities to sound the alarm. Preliminary data indicates that most of the affected individuals are above the age of 20.
According to official reports, a total of 180 cases have been recorded so far. Of these, 133 are Hepatitis-C infections, while 47 are cases of Hepatitis-B, with Hepatitis-C being identified as the more severe strain.
The infections are spread across multiple mandals, including Amalapuram, Allavaram, Ambajipet, Ainavilli, Katrenikona, Uppalaguptam, Kothapeta, P. Gannavaram, and I. Polavaram. However, health officials believe the actual number could be higher, as many patients are also receiving treatment in both government and private healthcare facilities that may not yet be reflected in official statistics.
District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) M. Durgarao Dora emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent long-term liver damage. He urged residents to come forward for testing, assuring them that all personal health data will remain confidential.
To assess the true scale of the outbreak, Collector Mahesh Kumar initiated a focused survey in Pallam village, located in Katrenikona mandal. Out of approximately 6,000 adults in the village, 2,281 have already undergone testing. So far, 16 cases of Hepatitis-B and 9 cases of Hepatitis-C have been identified.
Officials aim to complete the survey in Pallam by April 15, after which similar surveys will be rolled out across other mandals. In parallel, the administration is setting up dedicated hepatitis testing and treatment centers at community hospitals across the district to manage the situation more effectively.
Sources
1. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2025/Apr/07/andhra-pradesh-konaseema-village-hit-by-hepatitis-28-cases-identified-during-special-drive
2. https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1276858
