Diarrhoea Claims One Life, Affects Over 127 In Odisha’s Hirakud

Sambalpur: One person died of diarrhoea and at least 127 others are suffering from the disease in Hirakud area of Odisha’s Sambalpur district affecting at least 127 people so far.

As per reports, 33 of the 127 patients have been admitted to hospital for treatment. Fifteen of them were later shifted to to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla as their condition deteriorated.

According to the Medical Officer In-Charge of Hirakud Community Health Centre (CHC), 36 patients visited the hospital on March 21, while 42 patients came on March 22 of whom 25 were admitted to hospital. Five patients whose condition was serious were referred to VIMSAR, Burla. On Saturday, 49 patients have come to the hospital so far, he said.

He said there is information about the death one patient due to diarrhoea at Burla hospital and further details are awaited.

The district health authorities have reportedly attributed the supply of contaminated drinking water to the outbreak of diarrhoea in Gurudwarapada, Goudapada, Kalopada, Machhapada, and New Market Colony localities of Hirakud.

Meanwhile, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) submitted a report to the District Collector stating that water treatment is not being carried out in the area. Water samples have been collected from four places.

The health department is conducting door-to-door visits as part of steps to create awareness among residents. The mobile health unit is keeping its eye on the current situation as part of its measures to prevent the disease from spreading. Residents of the diarrhoea-hit areas have been advised to drink boiled water.

A team of doctors from Burla is slated to visit Hirakud to examine the diarrhoea situation in the area.

It may be recalled here that diarrhoea had spread in Hirakud around six months ago primarily due to contaminated water.

Meanwhile, residents held the district administration responsible for the outbreak of the disease stating that pipelines laid by the Public Health Department have been damaged due to road repair work. As a result, drinking water is getting polluted and it leads to the outbreak of the disease.