Bhubaneswar, July 24: Odisha is currently grappling with a surge in diarrhoea cases with several districts reporting outbreaks of the waterborne disease, prompting swift action from the State’s Health Department, officials said on Thursday.

According to the official sources, the Health Department has dispatched emergency medical teams to the most affected regions, including Digapahandi in Ganjam, Mohana in Gajapati, Nuapada, Balangir, and Thakurmunda in Mayurbhanj, to investigate and contain the spread.

Director of Public Health Department, Dr. Nilakantha Mishra confirmed that the cause of the widespread diarrhoea remains undetermined, with food poisoning and waterborne diseases under scrutiny.

In Digapahandi, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) visited the site to assess the situation firsthand. Similarly, a state health team member reached Mohana, while Balangir Medical College sent a team to Nuapada to collect water samples for laboratory testing.

In Mayurbhanj’s Thakurmunda Ashram School, multiple students reportedly fell ill, prompting health officials to await a detailed report from the district CDMO. The collected samples are being analyzed to determine the source of contamination, and sanitation drives have been initiated in affected areas.

The outbreak of diarrhoea coincides with the monsoon season, a period known for increased vulnerability to waterborne diseases. Health officials have urged residents to consume only boiled or purified water and avoid food from unhygienic sources.

The state government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with district administrations to ensure timely medical response and containment.
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