According to health functionaries, over 160 people in Shimla have tested positive for Hepatitis E since the outburst of the disease in mid-January.

Mr. Vinod Mehta, the surveillance officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, said, "Patients suffering from jaundice (Hepatitis E) are being reported at various government and private hospitals of Shimla. Twelve patients were admitted to various hospitals yesterday (Wednesday). Till date, 161 patients have been reported."

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the national capital has already given confirmation about the occurrence of Hepatitis E mainly from Khalini, Panthaghati, Vikas Nagar and Kasumpti regions of Shimla.

"Since the incubation period of the water-borne disease is up to 90 days, the people who acquired the disease when there was problem of water contamination in January would continue to report till March-end," Mr. Mehta said.

"Now, there is no problem of water contamination. The health department and the municipal corporation are regularly monitoring the water samples," he added.

A functionary of the Shimla Municipal Corporation stated that the source of water contamination was located shortly after the outburst of the illness and the problem has been corrected.

Municipal Health Officer Sonam Negi said, "We are regularly conducting random water sampling from localities affected by jaundice. We are also educating people to take preventive measures against the disease like consuming boiled water."

But, locals said that the state administration is yet to comprehend the severity of the problem and supply the residents' clean water.

"The water supplied from the Ashwani Khud drinking water scheme (around 25 km from Shimla) is not fit for consumption as there is no proper chlorination and filtration of water," Vikas Nagar resident Bhim Singh Thakur said.

In the year 2007, the illness was reported in these areas and over 1,000 cases of jaundice were reported at that time. (With Input from Agencies)