Diarrhoea Outbreak in Odisha: Four Lives Lost as Cases Surge

Health Crisis in Jajpur District

Bhubaneswar: The diarrhoea outbreak in Jajpur district, Odisha, has claimed four lives, with two additional fatalities reported recently, according to health officials on Thursday.

Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Prakash Chandra Bal informed the media that the total number of diarrhoea cases has reached approximately 300.

The situation remains critical as hospitals continue to receive a steady influx of patients, Bal noted.

Director of Public Health, Nilakantha Mishra, indicated that cases are emerging from five specific areas: Dharamsala, Jajpur Road, Danagadi, Korei, and Rasulpur.

While 30 to 40 patients have been discharged after treatment, another 20 to 30 new admissions were recorded on Thursday.

Currently, around 30 patients in critical condition are receiving care at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Mishra added.

The outbreak began after a village feast held over the weekend, leading to infections starting Monday.

Efforts are underway to trace the source of the outbreak, with water, street food, and stool samples sent for laboratory analysis.

To accommodate the rising number of patients, an additional 200 beds have been added in two hospitals in Jajpur. Medical staff from SCB Medical College and Jajpur Medical College have been deployed to various facilities in the district.

Dehydration is a common cause of death among diarrhoea patients, making early treatment crucial. Health workers are conducting door-to-door visits to identify new cases and ensure water sources are purified.