Daijiworld Media Network- Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Jun 12: In response to a sudden and alarming outbreak of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur district, the state Health and Family Welfare Department has launched emergency operations to contain the spread of the disease, which has claimed three lives and left over 200 people hospitalised.
Acting swiftly, the department dispatched a multi-sectoral team to the affected areas. The team includes doctors, microbiologists, and food safety inspectors, who have already commenced field investigations. Health Secretary Aswathy S. confirmed that additional medical teams have also been deployed to various hospitals, including the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital and peripheral health centres, to ensure proper care for patients.
Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Nilaknatha Mishra, is currently on the ground overseeing the containment and treatment efforts. “Rapid Action Teams have been formed at the district level to attend to patients and manage sporadic cases,” he said, adding that coordinated field operations are underway in several blocks including Dharmashala, Vyasanagar, Danagadi, Rasulpur, and Korei.
To support the local health infrastructure, specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur, along with six medicine experts from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, have been deputed. Critical cases are being referred to SCB Medical College for advanced treatment.
Hospitals in the region have been reinforced with additional manpower, medical supplies, ORS packets, saline, and injections. Simultaneously, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation department is engaged in disinfecting drinking water sources to prevent further spread of the waterborne infection.
The Health Department also reported that food inspectors and disease surveillance teams are actively monitoring the situation. ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and multipurpose health workers have been mobilised to distribute halogen tablets, medicines, and hygiene awareness materials at the grassroots level.
The government has issued an advisory urging citizens to consume only safe drinking water, avoid outside food, and follow strict hygiene practices to prevent infection.
According to the Jajpur district administration, over 200 patients have been treated in the past 48 hours. Tragically, the outbreak has claimed the lives of two individuals from Jajpur and one from Anandpur in Keonjhar district. The state continues to monitor the situation closely.