One Dead, Over 120 Hospitalised In Diarrhoea Outbreak In Odisha's Hirakud

Sambalpur, Mar 23: One person died and more than 120 people have been admitted at different hospitals due to an outbreak of diarrhoea at Hirakud in Odisha's Sambalpur district over the past three days, officials said on Saturday.

According to sources, the first case of diarrhoea was reported on March 21 and the number continued to rise thereafter. Every day, approximately 25 to 30 diarrhoea patients are admitted to the Community Health Centre at Hirakud and VIMSAR in Burla.

The condition of as many as 13 patients suffering from the infectious disease are critical. The critical patients are undergoing treatment at VIMSAR in Burla, sources said.

The increase in the number of diarrhoea patients on the city outskirts has raised serious concern. Around seven places of the city including Kalupada, Goudpada, Tarasingh, Gurudwara Pada and New Marketpada have become hotspots for the infectious disease.

Locals alleged that the pipes through which drinking water is supplied by the government authorities have become rusty and because of this, drain water is getting mixed with drinking water causing the outbreak of diarrhoea in the city.

Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the 'Drink from Tap' Yojana in 18 cities, including Sambalpur, in 2022.