Jaundice raises its ugly head in Burla, 40 tested positive

Sambalpur: Jaundice is back to haunt Sambalpur again with at least 40 fresh cases being reported from Burla. The fresh jaundice outbreak has spread panic among residents as the administration has failed to initiate measures to ensure that the waterborne disease does not raise its ugly head once again.

Local residents of Contractors' Colony alleged that most of the pipelines pass through several drainage channels while no step has been taken towards realignment. As a result, contaminated water enters into the supply lines due to leakages in the pipelines passing close to drains.

"We fear that the jaundice might spread further as no step is being taken to resolve such drinking water issues in the locality," said a local resident.

It is pertinent to mention here that jaundice had claimed 35 lives in Sambalpur district in 2014. The waterborne disease had claimed one life on March 28 while 40 blood samples have been tested positive in Burla this time which has now triggered panic among the residents.

Local residents alleged that though they had complained about foul smell coming out of water due to contamination for the last few days, no step was taken by the civic body failed to provide safe drinking water.

Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) Deputy Commissioner Subhankar Mohanty said that efforts are on a war footing to contain the jaundice outbreak.

"There could be multiple reasons for the outbreak of jaundice. All the unauthorised connections have been disconnected and drinking water is being supplied through proper PHD connections and super chlorinated water is now being supplied in Burla," said Mohanty.