Daijiworld Media Network - Khurda

Khurda, Jan 6: Amid nationwide concern over deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore, nearly 70 students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Gurujanga in Odisha’s Khurda district have been affected by a jaundice outbreak on the school campus over the past one week.

The residential school, located about 30 km from Bhubaneswar, has a total strength of around 560 students. Sources said at least 200 students have left the campus with their parents as the infection began spreading.

The outbreak has been linked to the supply of contaminated drinking water at the school. A parent alleged that the illness was caused due to improper cleaning and purification of water tanks on the campus. However, school authorities denied the allegation, stating that the water tanks had been cleaned twice in the last one year, during summer and winter.

With panic spreading in the area, the state health department rushed a team to the school to assess the situation. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the department is on high alert and closely monitoring the outbreak. “A district-level health team has collected water samples, and a state-level team of doctors has been sent to the school to carry out prevention and control measures while treating affected students,” he said.

Director of Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra, who led the team, said the issue came to light after a student was diagnosed with jaundice after returning to school following the Christmas vacation. “Subsequently, several other students appear to have been affected. We are reviewing the situation and taking necessary steps,” he said.

Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco) general manager Rajendranath Nayak said water samples from the school have been sent for laboratory testing, with results expected within 24 hours. He maintained that Watco monitors water quality round-the-clock and suggested that other factors, such as consumption of food from outside vendors, could be responsible.

Khurda district public health officer Dr Ranjan Mitra said 65 students are suspected to have been affected so far, and blood samples of 49 students have already been sent for testing. Samples from the remaining students will also be collected. “Based on the test reports, the treatment protocol will be finalised. No hospitalisation has been required as of now,” he said.

The DPHO also noted that Watco’s water quality report for the area last month was normal. He added that students meeting parents on Sundays often consume food from vendors outside the campus. “Steps are being taken to prevent street food vendors from operating within a 200-metre radius of the school,” he said.