Jajpur: The toll in diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha’s Jajpur district has touched 10 with six more persons succumbing to the water-borne disease.
Jajpur’s Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Prakash Chandra Bal, confirmed seven deaths due to diarrhoea. “Six deaths were reported in hospitals in Jajpur and one in Bhubaneswar. We are inquiring into three other deaths reported from hospitals outside the district,” he told the media.
On Wednesday night, Sanatan Patra (38) of Sunapasi village, died at Danagadi Community Health Centre (CHC), while Tularam Sharma (62) of Marawadipati under Vyasanagar municipality, died at Jajpur Road CHC. Sebati Ghadei (75) of Malapur village, and Pabitra Das (45) Of Dasarathpur village, died at Jajpur district headquarters hospital (DHH).
On Thursday, Anil Singh (48) of Khairabad village, died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, and Sudarshan Patra (45) of Taralio village, died at a government hospital in Anandapur, Keonjhar district.
Two deaths were reported at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where over 100 patients are being treated, some in critical condition.
Local hospitals in four blocks – Dharmasala, Jajpur, Danagadi, Korei and Rasulpur – are reportedly overwhelmed by the sudden spike in the 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,” he said.
Teams have been deployed in Dharmashala, Vyasanagar, Danagadi, Rasulpur, and Korei blocks to control the outbreak.
While contaminated water is being suspected to be the primary driver behind diarrhoea surge in Jajpur, the CDMO added that consumption of rotten or ripe mangoes and food at social gatherings could be a contributing factor.
Odisha’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, said water samples from affected areas are being tested and results are expected by Friday evening.