Authorities in India say a mysterious outbreak has killed at least 12 people.
According to reports, dozens of residents in the village of Chayansa, located in Palwal district of Haryana, which has a population of around 5,000, have fallen ill due to the still unidentified disease.
Local officials have launched an immediate investigation to determine the exact cause of the outbreak, while medical teams have been deployed to the village.
More than 600 residents have been screened so far and nearly 300 blood samples have been collected. Around 20 cases have been confirmed as Hepatitis B and C.
Symptoms of the illness include fever, cough, body aches, and vomiting.
Officials said some of the deaths were caused by liver infections and multiple organ failure. Four individuals have been formally confirmed to have Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that mainly affect the liver and can cause serious damage. Both viruses spread through blood. A vaccine is available for Hepatitis B, but there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
Residents believe contaminated drinking water may be the possible cause of the crisis. Out of 107 water samples tested, 23 failed to meet safety standards.
Village leaders said only 20 percent of homes receive water through pipelines from the village tank, while the remaining residents rely on water tankers and store it in underground metal tanks.
