Bhubaneswar: A diarrhoea outbreak has claimed one life and affected over 71 people across five panchayats in the Kanas block of Puri district, as confirmed by Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Mishra clarified that while there had been circulating rumors of additional deaths linked to the outbreak, the final report was still pending.
“As of now, the confirmed death toll stands at one,” he stated.
The outbreak is believed to have been triggered by contaminated water, with the source traced back to a community feast.
Dr. Mishra explained that water used during the feast had likely been contaminated, exacerbating the situation.
“In this area, people traditionally use water from the Daya River, as the handpump water has a metallic smell. Despite our efforts to supply water from tanks treated with high levels of chlorine, some residents continued to rely on the river water, which may have contributed to the contamination,” he added.
To contain the situation, an intensive treatment campaign has been launched, with teams from various administrative and health departments working on the ground. Dr. Mishra further informed that eight teams are currently visiting homes to monitor residents’ health, while two health camps have been set up for further medical checks.
“We have already seen a reduction in the infection rate and we are continuously monitoring the situation to prevent further spread,” he said.
