Cholera 'epidemic' in Odisha: 6 districts affected by outbreak, efforts to tackle situation

Odisha faces a cholera and diarrhoea epidemic, with six districts affected. Jajpur reports seven deaths; over 260 under treatment. Central team confirms Vibrio cholerae presence. Restrictions imposed in high-risk areas. Cuttack detects new cluster. Health Secretary reviews situation, urges public caution.

8 persons test positive for Cholera in Odisha’s Jajpur and Bhadrak districts

Patients under treatment at a hospital in Odisha

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The outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea cases continues to spiral across Odisha, with confirmed cases now reported in at least six districts of Jajpur, Keonjhar, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Dhenkanal, marking a worrying expansion of the crisis.

In Jajpur, the epicentre of the outbreak, the death toll has risen to seven, while over 260 people are undergoing treatment for severe diarrhoeal symptoms. Even as authorities intensify containment measures, health officials expressed that the outbreak is no longer isolated and is now in the epidemic stage.

A central 14-member medical team investigating the situation has detected the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that cause cholera, in multiple samples collected from Jajpur.

To contain the spread, local administrations in the affected districts have begun implementing restrictions. In Jajpur, especially in the high-risk zones of Binjharpur, Vyasanagar, Dharmasala, and Bari, orders have been issued to shut down all hotels, food stalls, and meat shops for two weeks.

Fresh Cluster Detected in Cuttack’s Tangi-Choudwar Block

The contagion reached Cuttack district yesterday, where a new cluster of diarrhoea cases has been reported from Sundari village under Safa panchayat in the Tangi-Choudwar block.

At least 15 people from the area have shown acute symptoms of diarrhoeal disease. Several have been hospitalised at SCB Medical College in Cuttack and are under observation. This development has prompted the Cuttack district administration to enhance surveillance and water-testing efforts in the peripheral regions.

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Health Secretary Aswathy S. Reviews Ground Situation in Jajpur

In response to the growing health emergency, Odisha Health Secretary Aswathy S. conducted an on-ground review in Jajpur on Monday. She visited several affected hospitals before chairing a high-level meeting with district officials, health workers, and surveillance teams.

Health authorities have appealed to the public to avoid consuming roadside food, drink only purified or boiled water, and report symptoms such as vomiting, loose motion, and fever as early as possible to access timely treatment.

Situation Remains Critical in Jajpur; Other Districts on Alert

Despite interventions, the situation in Jajpur remains extremely critical, with new cases continuing to be reported daily. Officials fear that if the source of contamination is not swiftly neutralised, the outbreak could assume statewide proportions.

ALSO READ: Odisha races to contain cholera outbreak, diarrhoea crisis with statewide awareness, vigilance drive

District authorities in Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, and Kendrapada have been directed to intensify water quality monitoring, deploy rapid response teams, and prepare emergency ward beds at government health facilities. So far, no deaths have been reported outside Jajpur, but health officials warn that early containment is essential to prevent fatalities elsewhere.

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