Diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha: 2 dead and over 500 infections

An outbreak of diarrhoea in Odisha’s Jajpur district has caused two deaths and affected over 500 people, prompting state health authorities to launch an emergency response to contain the spread of the disease. The outbreak has probably been caused by the consumption of contaminated drinking water. Rapid Action Teams have been deployed in the affected areas, including Dharmasala, Byasanagar Municipality, Danagadi, Rasulpur, and Korei block. They are treating cases at a district level in coordination with local medical staff. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital are also overseeing the treatment of critical patients. Six medicine specialists from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, have also been dispatched to Jajpur. District hospitals have been provided with additional staff and stocks of medicines to manage the situation. Meanwhile, Rural Water and Sanitation Scheme (RWSS) teams are disinfecting drinking water sources. Public awareness campaigns are being carried out by district authorities to prevent the further spread of the disease.