Balasore, June 18: Balasore district in Odisha has reported its first death case due to diarrhoea of the season on Tuesday night, raising public health concerns as neighbouring Jajpur district battles a growing cholera outbreak.

Mamali Mahapatra, a 35-year-old woman of Sarshanga village under Soro police limits, was admitted to Soro Hospital yesterday after suffering from acute diarrhoeal symptoms.

As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was declared dead late last night.

Meanwhile, the situation in Jajpur district has escalated, with cholera confirmed in multiple samples. The outbreak, which began as a diarrhoeal illness on June 9, has now claimed at least 13 lives and infected over 1,500 people.

Health officials have identified the presence of Vibrio cholerae in water sources, prompting the closure of street food vendors and public gatherings in affected areas.

The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert, deploying mobile health teams and launching disinfection drives. A central team from ICMR, WHO, and other agencies are currently assessing the situation in Jajpur.

Health officials urge residents to maintain strict hygiene, consume only boiled or treated water, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. The state’s health department continues to monitor the situation closely, officials said.

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