Jaundice Scare: BMC Orders Closure Of Food Stalls Outside OUAT Campus In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of detection of several jaundice cases in OUAT in Bhubaneswar, the BMC has issued orders to shut down the food vendors and kiosks outside the campus until further notice.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday, Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das said the food inspectors of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out a marathon raid on the food stalls, vendors, shops and kiosks, located close to the campus of Odisha University of agriculture and Technology (OUAT) on the day.

“The BMC inspectors collected the food and water samples from the eateries and sent those for laboratory test. They also directed the owners of the food shops to close down till further orders. Next step on the matter would be decided after obtaining the test report of the samples,” she said.

Besides, the additional district urban public health officer (ADUPHO) and urban surveillance units have been told to carry out inspection of those shops on daily basis, she added.

The BMC took the step after the Health officials ruled out contamination of the water supplied to the hostels of the university and suspected that the students might have been infected from intake of food and water from outside.

Dr Nilamani Senapati, ADUPHO, said the water samples collected from the hostels of OUAT were not found infected during the laboratory test.

“We suspect the chat, ‘gupchup’ and other fast foods being sold by the vendors just outside the university campus may be the source of contamination for the water-born disease. The BMC has been requested to take necessary steps in this regard,” he said.

Jaundice scare gripped the OUAT after more than 24 cases of jaundice were reported from hostels during the last few days. It prompted Health department officials to undertake a visit to take stock of the situation.

The ADUPHO had said at least 12 jaundice cases had come to the notice of the Health authorities. A medical team visited the campus and inspected different areas including hostel rooms and surroundings, he added.

Also Read: Jaundice Scare Grips OUAT In Bhubaneswar; Medical Team Visits Campus