A deep sense of fear and uncertainty has gripped Chhainsa village in Haryana’s Palwal district, where a series of recent deaths and widespread illness have left residents anxious and searching for answers. Over the past two weeks, at least seven deaths have been officially acknowledged, while villagers claim the number may be closer to twenty. As health authorities investigate suspected Hepatitis cases, locals say sickness has reached nearly every household, turning daily life into a cycle of worry and medical testing.
At the entrance of the village, a welcoming sign contrasts sharply with the sombre atmosphere inside, where conversations revolve around illness and loss. Residents describe a community overwhelmed by health concerns, with many claiming that at least one person in almost every home is unwell. The fear has intensified to the point where some villagers now refer to Chhainsa as a “village of patients,” reflecting the emotional toll the situation has taken.
Large crowds have gathered at a government health camp set up to screen residents and contain the suspected spread of infection. Villagers stand in long queues to provide blood samples, many carrying medical reports or prescriptions while others simply seek reassurance. Medical teams are conducting screenings, distributing medicines for common ailments, and collecting samples for detailed testing, aiming to identify infected individuals and begin treatment quickly to prevent further transmission.
Health officials say the administration is working to control both the disease and the growing panic. According to nodal officer Vasudev Gupta, authorities are screening patients and initiating treatment for those who test positive after confirmatory reports. He stated that among the reported deaths, three to four individuals had tested positive for Hepatitis B, while emphasising that multiple factors may have contributed to the fatalities. Officials explained that Hepatitis B spreads primarily through infected blood, unsafe transfusions, sharing contaminated needles, or unprotected sexual contact, and counselling sessions are being conducted to address public fear.
However, many villagers remain unconvinced by the official explanation and believe environmental factors may be responsible for the outbreak. Some residents claim dozens of people have tested positive for different forms of Hepatitis and suspect contaminated water sources as a major cause. Locals point to a nearby canal carrying waste from industrial and urban areas, alleging that polluted water used for irrigation has left visible residue on farmland. Others blame poor-quality drinking water and stagnant conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed, arguing that infrastructure neglect may have contributed to the crisis.
The situation has also exposed broader gaps in healthcare access. Families recount difficulties obtaining timely medical treatment, including delays in hospital admissions and shortages of available beds. One family described losing a 14-year-old boy after moving between hospitals seeking care as his condition rapidly worsened, highlighting the consequences of delayed medical intervention during emergencies.
Beyond a potential infectious disease outbreak, the crisis in Chhainsa reflects deeper challenges involving sanitation, water safety, healthcare accessibility, and trust between residents and authorities. While medical teams continue testing and treatment efforts, villagers are demanding clearer answers about why so many people fell ill in such a short period. For now, the growing queues at testing camps symbolise both fear and hope — fear of more positive diagnoses and hope that decisive action will prevent further loss in a village already shaken by grief.
