Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday launched a ‘stop diarrhoea’ campaign in a proactive step to prevent spread of the water-borne disease even as the death toll due to its outbreak in Jajpur reportedly mounted to 15.
Official sources said that a 42-year-old patient from Jajpur died while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Amid spread of diarrhoea in several parts of the state, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling launched the month-and-a-half-long drive at the community health centre (CHC) at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district.
The Minister said that the campaign, which will run till July 31, aims to curb diarrhoea cases in the state through awareness, early detection, and coordinated intervention.
The campaign holds added significance in view of a cholera outbreak in Jajpur, while cases of diarrhoea have been reported from Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal districts.
As part of the campaign, health authorities are distributing ORS and zinc supplements to healthcare centres across the state, ensuring timely relief to those suffering.
The focus is on stepping up immediate containment measures and heightened surveillance to prevent further spread of the water-borne disease, triggered by monsoon rain.
At the same time, the government has urged citizens to adopt safe hygiene practices and seek medical assistance for early symptoms.
During the campaign period, ASHA workers and health supervisors will conduct door-to-door visits, educating people on hand hygiene, clean drinking water, and early symptom reporting.
Special emphasis would be given to children aged 0 to 5 years, officials said, adding that medical officers across the state have already been alerted via video conferencing.
Besides spreading widespread awareness among the people, medical officers have also been instructed to carry out a chlorination drive for drinking water sources—including tube wells, community wells, and other sources—at least once a week in collaboration with block officials and rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) engineers.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Aswathy S visited Jajpur district on Monday for an extensive ground review. She conducted inspections at several hospitals before chairing a high-level review meeting at the District Collector’s office.
The meeting noted that contaminated drinking water is the primary cause, though other contributing factors are also being investigated.
“Water contamination is the suspected primary cause of this outbreak. Several teams are currently investigating the source of this contamination on a war footing. Required vigilance and health safety measures have been enforced in all affected areas,” the Health Secretary said.
A 14-member Central Team, including health experts and epidemiologists, is also monitoring the situation closely and is expected to provide expert guidelines, which will be followed by local health authorities.
As per Public Health Director Dr Nilakantha Mishra, 1,771 people were admitted to hospitals in Jajpur district by Sunday. Of these, 1,508 patients have recovered and been discharged, while 258 are currently undergoing treatment. Four blocks and one urban local body in the district have been hit most by the outbreak traced to the Vibrio cholerae bacterium.
“Out of the 41 faecal samples sent to the laboratory from Jajpur district, eight tested positive for Vibrio cholerae. However, the number of affected persons is slowly decreasing,” he said.
Mishra confirmed five cholera-related deaths in the state. Investigations are ongoing in five other suspected deaths linked to the outbreak, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has directed all health centres in districts reporting diarrhoea and cholera cases to remain on high alert and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to affected communities.
Immediate steps are being taken to purify drinking water sources in Jajpur district. Restrictions have been imposed on roadside food vendors and food safety inspections are being intensified to prevent contamination.
