35 Navodaya Vidyalaya students in Odisha affected by jaundice

At least 35 students of Gurujang Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Odisha’s Khordha district have been affected by jaundice, triggering concern among parents and local health authorities. The affected students are from Classes VI to XII, according to information shared by the school administration.

Sources said the students have been suffering from the illness since December 20. After the cases came to light, the school authorities began closely monitoring the health condition of the students and informed the concerned departments to prevent the situation from worsening.

As a precautionary measure, several students diagnosed with jaundice have been sent back to their homes, while others remain on the school campus under medical supervision.

Although the exact cause of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed, some guardians have alleged that contaminated drinking water within the school premises may have led to the spread of the disease. However, no official confirmation regarding the source of the infection has been issued so far.

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In response to the situation, the school authorities have written to the Health Department, urging it to conduct a medical camp on the school premises to provide treatment and carry out necessary health checks for the students.

"A student affected by jaundice had returned to the school after the vacation but did not inform the authorities about his illness. Once the condition was detected, he was immediately provided with medical treatment. As a precautionary measure, all water tanks on the school premises were thoroughly cleaned. Students were also made aware of the disease, and health teams were brought in to counsel them. Food and drinking water samples were tested and found to be safe. It was a viral infection that spread from the affected student who had attended school after the vacation," said NC Chakra, Vice Principal of the school.

"Whenever the matter came to the notice of the authorities, the affected students were immediately provided medical treatment and sent home. One student suffering from jaundice had not informed the school authorities about his illness, and the disease is believed to have spread while he was in the incubation period. At that time, five to six students were affected, and no fresh cases have been reported since the following month. Meanwhile, some students have been suffering from cold and cough due to the severe winter, prompting certain guardians to take their children home suspecting jaundice. As a precautionary measure, the school authorities took 20 students to the hospital today, and their test reports are awaited," said staff nurse Shantilata.