Jajpur: Diarrhoea outbreak has claimed lives of two people and affected over 200 in Sukinda and Dharmasala blocks and the areas of Vayasanagar civic body in Odisha’s jajpur district.
One victim, Sanat Patra (34) from Mayurbhanj, living in Danagadi, died during treatment at Danagadi CHC on Tuesday. Another, a 70-year-old man from Jajpur Road, also succumbed to the disease, though his identity remains unconfirmed.
According to sources, the outbreak began in Dharmasala on Monday, affecting around 100 people from Baulamal, Matia, Raghunathpur, Pakhara, and Chadhheidhara villages, who were admitted to community health centre (CHC) at Dharmasala. It then spread to Jajpur Road, with 60 cases, and to Korei and Dasarathapur, where residents reported symptoms. Danagadi has reported 20 cases
“At least 200 people, including 85 children, are currently undergoing treatment in the community health centres at Dharamsala, Sukinda and Jajpur Road,” Jajpur CDMO Prakash Chandra Barala to the media.
The outbreak is linked to contaminated water, spoiled mangoes, and food from feasts.
The CDMO further stated that a team of doctors visited the affected villages on Tuesday and collected water samples for further tests. “We are treating all the patients and taking necessary steps to check the spread of waterborne diseases. We are also stocking up on sufficient medicines in hospitals for treating the patients,” he said.
Four medical teams have been deployed in Dharmasala and Korei hospitals, and water bodies are being disinfected by Rural Water Supply and Sanitation authorities, he added.
Jajpur Collector P Anvesha Reddy has sought additional medical teams from the state Health department.