Deaths, diarrhoea, and cholera mark major health crisis in Odisha: Everything we know so far

Odisha is battling a spiralling public health crisis with confirmed cholera cases and a surging diarrhoea outbreak claiming at least 11 lives and affecting over 600 people, predominantly in Jajpur district.

With cases spreading to Bhadrak and Keonjhar districts, the state government has intensified emergency measures amid fears of wider contagion.

Outbreak Begins in Jajpur, Claims Multiple Lives

The health emergency began on Monday, when Jajpur district reported an unusual rise in diarrhoea cases. By Thursday, at least two deaths and over 500 infections were confirmed, with the worst-hit areas identified as Danagadi and Dharmasala blocks.

Several patients showed symptoms of acute dehydration due to severe diarrhoea, prompting urgent medical response and a shift to advanced healthcare in facilities like the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

By Friday, the number of deaths climbed to four while infections crossed the 600 mark. The situation remained grim in Korei, Bari, and Jajpur Road, with medical teams deployed for door-to-door screening and treatment.

ALSO READ: Community feast banned during Raja festivities after cholera scare in Jajpur

Cholera Confirmed in Lab Tests, Toll Rises to 11

On Friday, the Odisha government confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera, in samples collected from the affected regions.

Out of 41 stool samples tested, eight returned positive. The official death toll stood at five, but sources pegged the total number of suspected fatalities at 11 across affected regions.

More than 600 people were affected by then, with over 300 undergoing treatment at hospitals. Around 30 critical cases were shifted to Cuttack. Meanwhile, health officials noted a slight decline in patient inflow, raising cautious hopes of stabilisation.

Bhadrak and Keonjhar Report Fresh Cases

Even as containment efforts continued in Jajpur, the outbreak spilled over to Bhadrak and Keonjhar districts. Patients from Bhandaripokhari and Anandpur blocks were hospitalised with diarrhoea symptoms. Health officials confirmed that cholera-positive samples were found in Bhadrak as well, adding urgency to the state’s response.

Public Health Director Dr Nilakantha Mishra stated that impure drinking water is the suspected cause of the outbreak. Disinfection drives and awareness campaigns were intensified.

All government offices in Jajpur were directed to remain open during the three-day Raja festival from June 14 to 16, and leaves of government officials were cancelled to assist in emergency services.

ALSO READ: Diarrhoea outbreak grips Odisha’s Jajpur; 5 suspected deaths, over 600 infected

State Launches Monsoon Disease Preparedness Plan

The crisis triggered a high-level review on Friday, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, with officials from Health, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water departments. The meeting focused not only on cholera and diarrhoea but also on malaria, dengue, and other seasonal diseases.

Ahuja directed door-to-door awareness drives, complete water body disinfection in 10 days, and adequate stockpiling of medicines, ORS packets, and saline in hospitals. District collectors and CDMOs from across Odisha were instructed to monitor the situation closely and report progress.

The Information & Public Relations Department also announced a statewide campaign to prevent waterborne diseases during the monsoon season, with a special focus on sanitation and public education.

Lessons from Previous Outbreaks

The crisis echoes past cholera outbreaks in Odisha. In 2023, Rourkela saw 13 deaths and over 1,000 infections while 2022 saw eight deaths in Rayagada. Experts have repeatedly flagged poor access to clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and delayed medical access as key contributors to such outbreaks, conditions that remain prevalent in districts like Rayagada, Kalahandi, and now Jajpur.

In the meantime, residents have been urged to consume only boiled or chlorinated water, avoid open defecation, and report symptoms early. The next 10 days will be critical as health teams race to contain the outbreak before the monsoon intensifies.