Sambalpur: Jaundice Outbreak in Sambalpur; 49 Cases Identified, Mainly Children
Health Department Initiates Sample Collection and Awareness Campaign
Sambalpur: Residents of Sambalpur are once again concerned about the spread of jaundice. There are 49 jaundice patients in the city. Only three of them are adults, and the rest are children under the age of 14. Jaundice has been detected in Kumbharpada, Pensionpada, and Dhubapada, raising concerns that it will spread to other regions. According to information received, 49 people have been identified as jaundice patients in Sambalpur over the last month.
Health Department Intensifies Efforts with Sample Collection
After suspecting the spread of jaundice, 2809 samples were collected from Kumbharpada, with 41 people testing positive. Similarly, 682 samples from Dhubapada were tested, and eight were found to be affected. In Pensionpada, 1647 samples were collected, and the report is pending. Yesterday, 30 samples were collected, of which 20 were identified as jaundice patients.
Contaminated Water and Fast Food Suspected
According to the health department, only three of the 49 patients identified so far are older than 20 years old, with the rest being children. According to District Chief Medical Officer Sujata Rani Mishra, the spread of jaundice is suspected to be caused by contaminated water and fast food. Water and food samples collected from affected areas are being tested.
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Public Advisories, and Immediate Measures to Prevent Further Spread
The health department’s doctor team is visiting affected areas and advising residents to avoid eating outside food and to drink boiled water. Awareness campaigns are being held to teach people how to avoid jaundice. The Chief Medical Officer stated that all necessary measures are being implemented to control the situation. On the other hand, approximately two months ago, the public health department was notified via letters of the need to repair broken pipes throughout the city. Measures to prevent the supply of contaminated water through pipes are recommended.
Despite these efforts, water continues to flow on the roads from broken pipes throughout the city. The public health department, which received harsh criticism for the cholera outbreak caused by contaminated water in Hirakud, has yet to take appropriate action. Notably, in 2014, a jaundice outbreak in Sambalpur affected over 10,000 people, killing many of them prematurely.
