TV
Amidst the celebrations of the three-day Raja festival in Odisha’s Jajpur district, the district administration on Saturday imposed a ban on community feasting due to the detection of cholera cases in the region.
The health department has issued an advisory, urging citizens to maintain utmost caution and follow strict hygiene practices to prevent further spread of the disease.
Though diarrhoea cases are declining, five cholera cases detected out of 41 samples yesterday. Around 200 samples have also been sent for examination. Instructions have been issued to disinfect water tanks and other water sources.
According to officials, cholera infections have been reported from multiple locations across the district, not confined to a single cluster. In view of this, the administration has prohibited mass gatherings involving food, especially outdoor feasting during the festival, which traditionally sees large communal meals.
Residents have been strongly advised to avoid consuming unhygienic street food or contaminated water. Instead, people are being encouraged to eat freshly cooked food at home and drink boiled or filtered water.
The Health Department has issued additional instructions:
Anyone showing symptoms of diarrhoea should promptly seek medical assistance from ASHA workers, Anganwadi didis, or nearby health centers. Surveillance activities have been intensified throughout the district.
Special Health Secretary Bijay Mohapatra has emphasized that while the situation is under control, citizens should not panic. He clarified that though cases have emerged from different areas, the spread remains manageable.
“Those experiencing watery diarrhoea should immediately visit a hospital. We have intensified surveillance to detect source and provide immediate treatment to the affected patients. Community surveillance along with state-level team is on ground. Out of 40 samples, 5 have tested positive for cholera. It has not been reported from a particular cluster, rather different locations. People should focus on hand hygiene and eat healthy meals,” he urged.
To monitor and manage the situation, dedicated medical teams are stationed at Jajpur and SCB Medical College in Cuttack. A state-level expert team is also camping in the affected areas to support the local response.
Meanwhile, the situation in the neighbouring Bhadrak district remains stable, with no confirmed cases of cholera being reported so far.
