Jajpur: The diarrhoea situation remained grim with over 500 people across Odisha’s Jajpur district affected by the water-borne disease as of Thursday.
The outbreak has so far claimed four lives with two having succumbed to the disease this morning.
Local hospitals in four blocks – Dharmasala, Jajpur, Danagadi, Korei and Rasulpur – are reportedly overwhelmed by the sudden spike in number of patients showing gastrointestinal symptoms. “Patient inflow into hospitals is continuing. 134 are undergoing treatment at district headquarters hospital and over 50 at community health centres at Jajpur Road and Dharmasala, around 10 at Barchana, 10-12 at Korei, 8 at Danagadi and one at Madhuban,” CDMO Prakash Chandra Bal told the media.
He further stated that a 75-year-old of Mallapada and 42-year-old of Baruan died this morning, taking the toll to four. “Some among those in critical condition are being referred to Cuttack while others are being treated here,” he said.
Earlier, a 70-year-old man was declared dead on arrival at the Vyasanagar hospital, while a 34-year-old died at the Danagadi community health centre. Around 20 critical patients have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced care.
The state government has also sent a three-member medicine team to Dharmasala and Jajpur Road. “Since it will take some more days to bring the situation under control, we have requested the government to assign more medicine specialists to the district for treatment of those affected,” the CDMO said.
Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital are overseeing the treatment of critical patients. Six medicine specialists from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, have also been deputed to Jajpur.
Bal further stated that drinking water sources are being disinfected. “Food inspecting and disease surveillance teams are working at the ground level to combat further outbreak of the waterborne disease,” he said.
Grassroots-level service providers, including health sub-centres, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and multi-purpose health workers, have been provided with halogen tablets, ORS packets, medicines, and awareness materials for community distribution.
On Wednesday, Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra along with two rapid action teams, consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and joint director of integrated disease surveillance programme, visited the affected areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the CDMO.
While contaminated water is being suspected to be the primary driver behind diarrhoea surge in Jajpur, the CDMO identified consumption of rotten or ripe mangoes and food at social gatherings as one of the contributing factors.
He further stated such cases are also being reported from nearby districts, including Keonjhar and Kendrapada.
