Bhubaneswar: Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra on Tuesday assured that the situation is under control after more than 40 students at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Khordha district fell ill with jaundice, caused by the Hepatitis A virus.
The outbreak at the school occurred on January 4, 2026, after students consumed food from outside the campus.
“We are treating all affected students and closely monitoring their condition. We are also inspecting the school premises and water supply to ensure proper hygiene. The headmaster and staff have been instructed to thoroughly clean the campus. The district administration and CDMO are actively involved, and Public Health Department officials are working on the ground. We expect all students to recover soon,” Dr. Mishra told the media.
District Health Department personnel visited the school on Sunday, while a state-level medical team arrived on Tuesday to assist with the investigation and provide guidance on preventive measures.
Public Health Department officials are advising students and staff to follow strict hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and consuming safe drinking water.
