Bhubaneswar: With diarrhoea and cholera spreading to more areas, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all 30 districts on high alert and intensified containment measures to control the menace.
All 30 districts of the state, and not just Jajpur, have been directed to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to contain the spread, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary of Health department, Aswathy S said after a high-level review meeting.
The emergency action comes as reports indicate a surge in waterborne diseases in different parts of the state. Over 300 fresh diarrhoea cases have been reported in the last ten days across five districts. The district Health officials have been instructed to keep hospitalised patients under 24-hour observation.
Stressing that most of the new cases are mild, the Health Secretary said precautionary efforts, especially the disinfection of drinking water sources, will continue across the state. A door-to-door awareness campaign by ASHA and Anganwadi workers is also underway in rural areas and will remain active for the next seven days.
This apart, daily review meetings are being held at the state level to monitor the situation, while a 14-member Central team is currently visiting the affected areas and suggesting measures to contain the disease.
The state health officials are in constant touch with a central team, which maintains that the outbreak does not yet qualify as an epidemic, she said.
However, the government is taking no chances and disinfecting all water sources, including in the 25 districts not currently identified as hotspots.
Regarding detection of cholera cases, Awasthy maintained that only around 10 per cent of tested samples have confirmed cholera infection.
Meanwhile, four state-level special teams have been dispatched to observe field activities on the direction of the Health Secretary. These teams consist of senior officers, experts, medical staff and advisors from the department. Their mission is to provide immediate treatment, raise public awareness, and coordinate with local healthcare units for efficient disease management.
Key members of the teams include Joint Director Dr. Ashok Kumar Paikaray, Consultant Dr. Kallol Das, IRT member Surajit Garabadu, Dr. Asit Kumar Mohanty, Dr. Prabhakar Sahu, and Consultant Shri Anup.
The teams will visit various locations, including Bhuban, Banki, Dharmashala, Badachana, and Bhandarpokhari, to inspect activities related to diarrhoea control and to enhance coordination among different departmental operations.
The teams will focus on the purification of water sources, door-to-door campaigns, early detection and primary treatment of diarrhoea patients, distribution of medicines and halogen tablets, and public awareness programs. Additionally, they will provide necessary advice and support to the local teams.
People have been urged to follow hygiene protocols and seek medical help in case of symptoms. The state government has assured continued monitoring and support until the situation improves.
It may be noted that seven diarrhoea-related deaths have been officially confirmed in Jajpur district, where the outbreak began on June 9. Eleven cases of cholera have been confirmed in the district. Diarrhoea cases have also emerged in parts of Bhadrak, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Astaranga in Puri, and Bhuban area of Dhenkanal district, sources said.
