Tragic Diarrhoea Outbreak Claims Lives in Odisha's Ganjam District

Health Crisis in Berhampur

Berhampur: In a distressing incident, three individuals have reportedly died due to suspected diarrhoea, with many others affected across four villages in the Ganjam district of Odisha, as confirmed by local officials on Wednesday.

The fatalities were noted in Damapur village, located in the Sanakhemundi block, where numerous residents exhibited symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, according to the district's health department.

Officials reported that Sambaru Mallick (63) and Kandara Mallick (60) both passed away at home on Monday, while Sukura Mallick (45) succumbed to the illness on Tuesday night at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where she was receiving care.

At least seven additional villagers have been impacted by this waterborne illness, with four currently hospitalized at MKCG Hospital, while others received initial treatment at the Digapahandi Community Health Centre.

Sukant Kumar Nayak, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), stated that the precise cause of the deaths is still under investigation, pending laboratory results.

Health teams have been dispatched to the area, and a temporary health camp has been established in the village.

Health officials are actively collecting stool and water samples for analysis and have initiated an awareness campaign encouraging residents to drink boiled water and uphold hygiene standards.

Water sources have undergone disinfection, and halogen tablets along with ORS packets have been distributed to the affected communities.

This outbreak follows a similar incident two weeks ago, where at least two individuals died from suspected diarrhoea in Ustapalli, another village in the Digapahandi block.