Bhubaneswar, June 11 (UNI) Odisha’s State Health Machinery has launched a war-footing operation to manage the diarrheal outbreak in parts of Jajpur district. Reports reaching here indicate that diarrhoea has already claimed two lives, while hundreds of affected people have been hospitalised over the past few days.
Official sources said on Wednesday that several teams are actively working in the affected areas and nearby locations of Dharamshala, Vyasanagar Municipality, Danagadi, Rasulpur, and Korei block in Jajpur district.
State and district teams are jointly monitoring the situation closely. Field-level actions have been intensified under the supervision of Health Secretary Aswathy S.
Director of Public Health Services Dr. Nilakantha Mishra said that all patients and sporadic cases in adjoining areas are being quickly attended to by rapid action teams formed at the district level.
In addition, the Director of Public Health, along with two rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and the Joint Director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, have reached the area and started field operations in coordination with the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer of Jajpur.
Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital are overseeing the treatment of critical cases. Six medicine specialists from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, have also been deputed to the district.
The infected people are being treated at Community Health Centres in Dharmashala, Jajpur Road, and Danagadi, as well as at the District Headquarters Hospital in Jajpur. Critical patients are also receiving care at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Hospitals in the district have been equipped with additional manpower and ample supplies of medicines, saline fluids, injections, and other essential items to combat the disease.
The government has directed the Superintendent of SCB Medical College to remain vigilant and ensure proper treatment of referral cases.
The RWSS teams are working on disinfecting drinking water sources, while food inspection teams and disease surveillance teams are active on the ground to tackle the waterborne disease.
Grassroots-level service providers, including health sub-centres, ASHA workers, AWC workers, and multi-purpose health workers, have been supplied with halogen tablets, medicines, ORS packets, and awareness materials for distribution among the people.
Mass awareness campaigns are being carried out through public announcements by the district administration.
The government has advised people to take all necessary precautions, use safe drinking water, and maintain hygienic practices. They have also been advised to avoid consuming outside food.
The situation is under close watch, Health Department sources said.
