CM asks health dept to take urgent steps to control spread of diarrhoea

AMIDST an outbreak of diarrhoea in some areas of Jajpur and Keonjhar districts, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday directed the health department to take urgent measures to prevent its spread to neighbouring districts.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), all health facilities in the affected districts have been placed on high alert.

"Neighbouring districts have also been advised to remain vigilant. Disinfection of drinking water sources has begun in Jajpur, alongside a temporary ban on street food sales and intensified food safety inspections,” the statement added.

Adequate supplies of medicines have been ensured and medical teams have been deployed to contain the outbreak, the CMO said.

Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling is monitoring the situation through regular meetings with medical officers and administrative officials.

A team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also arrived in Odisha to assist the state government in controlling the outbreak.

So far, seven people have died due to the outbreak in Jajpur district, which was first reported on June 9, Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) Prakash Chandra Bal said.

Out of 1,750 people diagnosed with diarrhoea in the district, 1,500 of them have recovered and about 250 are under treatment, officials said.