Utkal University / Jaundice scare grips Utkal University, hostels under health surveillance
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Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: A jaundice outbreak at Utkal University has triggered health concerns after two students residing in Girls' Hostel No. 7 tested positive. The cases were detected within a week of the university hostel reopening on October 27, prompting the administration to step up preventive measures and launch an investigation into the possible source of infection.
Taking the situation seriously, the hostel authorities immediately contacted the Health Department. The Vice-Chancellor and Registrar also held discussions with the Director of Public Health, the Health Department Secretary and the Special Secretary to ensure necessary action.
Following the detection of two jaundice cases, health inspections are being conducted across all university hostels. Blood samples of eight students have been collected for testing. A team from the BMC's Urban Health Surveillance Unit visited the campus to investigate the situation. The team collected water samples and inspected hostel sanitation and surrounding environmental conditions.
The inspection team included an epidemiologist, microbiologist and food inspector, among other specialists.
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✨As part of preventive measures, the university administration has arranged 1,000 litres of filtered drinking water for hostel residents. Water tanks and overhead tanks have also been cleaned and chlorinated to ensure safe drinking water. The PHE team will conduct another inspection to assess water quality.
Amid growing concerns over students' health, the university administration has imposed restrictions on consuming outside food, including popular street foods and fast food. Food outlets around the campus, including those in the market area and nearby locations, will also be inspected to check food quality and hygiene standards.
Utkal University Registrar Swati Mishra said that shops found violating food safety standards or compromising on food quality would face immediate closure.
In view of the jaundice cases and concerns over students' health, the university administration has decided to postpone the mid-term examinations by two days. The decision has been taken to prioritise students' health and ensure that they can appear for their examinations without additional concerns. The examinations will now be conducted on revised dates, the university authorities said.
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The exact source of the jaundice infection at Utkal University remains unclear. Authorities are investigating whether contaminated drinking water, unhygienic food or another source could be responsible for the cases.
Water samples and students' blood samples have been collected for laboratory testing. The findings of the Health Department's investigation will help establish the source of infection.
Meanwhile, the university administration is coordinating with health officials and closely monitoring the situation across all hostels to prevent further cases.
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