Jaundice cases: Health alert in Odisha school; parents protest poor sanitation

A health alert was triggered on Tuesday at Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) in Biswanathpur under Dhenkanal’s Gondia block after a jaundice case was detected among the students yesterday. Acting swiftly, a multi-department health team reached the school to assess the situation and prevent further spread.

Also Read: Jaundice case detected in Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya

Though officially one case has been confirmed, parents allege more than 15 cases.

The health team included the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), district public health officials, representatives from Drinking Water Supply and Rural Development departments, Food Supplies officials, and a dedicated screening unit. Comprehensive health check-ups of all students are underway, with blood samples being collected for laboratory testing.

Meanwhile, the parents expressed strong dissatisfaction over alleged negligence by the School & Mass Education (S&ME) department. They questioned the lack of regular inspections and poor focus on cleanliness, particularly highlighting the unhygienic condition of toilets.

Parents confronted the Additional District Education Officer (ADEO) and the Block Education Officer (BEO), demanding immediate corrective action.

A health team from Baripada had inspected the school earlier, and a formal inquiry is now being conducted by the Gondia ADEO. Authorities are reviewing how many students have been affected as monitoring continues.

“We will carry out a screening of all students here as well as conduct the ICE (Information, Communication, and Education) activity. We will collect the water samples, and if required, go for a sanitation drive,” Dhenkanal CDMO, Dr Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra, said.

“Students who are absent will be contacted by the school principal, too. We will ascertain what problems they have and why they have not come,” the CDMO added.

Speaking to OTV, a guardian, Malaya Singh, stated, “He (his son) has been affected by jaundice for the last 5-6 days and is now undergoing treatment. What I got to hear, more students have also been affected. The number would be more than 15.”

“My son has tested positive for jaundice along with a urine infection. Certainly, he has been infected due to poor sanitation at the school,” the parent expressed.