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Jaundice arrives early


it is
only May, but Delhi is already under the grip of jaundice and diarrhoea. Such water-borne diseases generally happen during mid summer but the number of cases have already started rising. Doctors in the capital have warned that the situation can get worse if immediate steps are not taken. "In my clinic at Anand Vihar, at least three patients suffering from jaundice arrive every day,' said Vinay Agarwal, Media Centre Convenor of the Indian Medical Association.

The people who are at a greater risk are those drinking from shallow hand pumps. Of late, there have been more incidents of people installing motors for pumping water on the main lines causing breakages. This causes situation where the drinking water gets mixed with the sewer water.

"All drinking water should be boiled, especially that from the hand pump. One should carry safe drinking water while leaving the house and totally avoid water from the street vendors,' said Anil Bansal, president of the Delhi Medical Association.