Fifty-year-old Kabul Singh of Bhuchar Kalan village in Tarn Taran died due to hepatitis-c, and scores of others are reportedly suffering from the disease. The Tarn Taran health authorities today sent a team of doctors to survey the area and provide necessary help and counselling to the patients. Sources said many others in Kabul’s family have been afflicted.

They said he was taking treatment from private practitioners in the village without proper diagnosis. He was admitted to a hospital a few days ago, but when his condition showed no improvement, his family brought him back home.

District Epidemiologist Dr Gagandeep Singh, while confirming the deaths, said a team of doctors had been sent to the village and a perusal of the medical reports of the deceased revealed that he was suffering from cirrhosis, as he used to consume alcohol and had contracted jaundice. “Kabul used to consume alcohol even while he was recuperating from jaundice, which proved to be hazardous for him,” he said.

He said, “Hepatitis-c is usually contracted through infection caused by contaminated injections.”

Tarn Taran Civil Surgeon Dr Kanwaljit Kaur said all sick persons in the village and the surrounding areas were being examined to ascertain the actual cause behind their sicknesses.