Bhubaneswar: At least four people died and more than 100 have fallen ill following an outbreak of diarrhoea in Odisha’s Rourkela city.
According to sources, four persons, including three women, have died in last two days after diarrhoea cases were reported in the steel city. The deceased hailed from Panposh and Udit Nagar in the city.
As the disease spread in several parts of the city, at least 102 patients from various places have been admitted to the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) for treatment, sources said.
Diarrhoea cases have been reported from Panposh, Udit Nagar, Chhend and various other places in Rourkela and its outskirts. Majority of the cases have been reported from slum areas of the city, sources added.
However, the Health department officials are yet to find out any specific reason behind the diarrhoea outbreak in Rourkela.
Samples have been sent for laboratory tests and arrangements have been made for additional beds to treat the diarrhoea patients, said RGH Director (in-charge) Sudharani Pradhan.
As the number of cases increased in different parts of the city, the public health department and the Rourkela Municipal Corporation are distributing medicines in different places and taking measures to prevent its further outbreaks.
At least 12 teams are distributing medicines in different parts of Rourkela city. Six teams from the civic body and six teams from the Health department are visiting different areas to distribute medicines and examine drinking water.
Water samples have been sent for testing. Investigation into the specific cause of the outbreak is in progress. In addition, inspection of food samples has been started in different areas.
