Bhubaneswar: School & Mass Education (S&ME) Minister Nityananda Gond on Tuesday ordered immediate preventive measures following a jaundice outbreak at Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) in Biswanathpur under Gondia Block of Dhenkanal district.
Expressing concern over the incident, Minister Gond said the government is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring proper treatment for affected students.
“We have directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the disease and to safeguard the health of students,” he said.
Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra confirmed that three students have been affected. He added that a team from the Chief District Medical & Public Health Office has been deputed to the school to assess the situation and conduct medical tests.
“Water samples from the school have been tested, and the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Department has been instructed to ensure the supply of safe drinking water. Blood samples of symptomatic students are being examined, and no new cases have been reported so far,” said Dr. Mishra.
He further mentioned that the affected students were staying in a private hostel near the school, as OAV does not have its own hostel facilities.
The outbreak was reported on Monday (January 12). Following the report, a health team from Sriramchandrapur Community Health Centre (CHC) visited the school to assess the situation. Meanwhile, the Additional District Education Officer has launched an inquiry.
District authorities said precautionary measures have been implemented and students have been advised to immediately report any symptoms.
