Bhawanipatna: Panic gripped this district headquarters town of Kalahandi Tuesday following the death of a 21-year-old college student of jaundice with more than 100 suffering from the disease.
However, the district health department has put the number of affected persons at 58.
The deceased was identified as Sonali Nag, daughter of Baishnav Nag, of ward-1 of Kandhapada in the town.
Meanwhile, the administration convened an emergency meeting in the wake of the disease taking shape of an epidemic. It was decided in the meeting to check sale of ‘Gupchup’, ice cream, items available in roadside eateries, water pouches without ISI certification and country liquor. The administration has asked the people not to use pond water in the town.
According to reports, 26 jaundice patients were first identified at ward no-6 of Nuabandhapada after which it spread to Bahadur Bagichapada, Arkabahalipada, Kandhapada and Sareigharapada.
The health department collected blood samples of 83 suspected persons of which 58 were tested positive for jaundice. Many patients, after being diagnosed, have adopted traditional healing methods instead of consulting physicians which has aggravated the situation, officials said.
This apart, drain water is mixing up with the drinking water at several places where people have taken unlawful water connections and this has increased the number of cases in the town, CDMO Dr Braja Kishore Brahma said.
As a precautionary measure, PHD water supply connection has been snapped to the affected areas and the department has sent water tankers to continue water supply, it was learnt.
According to reports, Sonali was first admitted to the district headquarters hospital Saturday but later shifted to Burla-based VIMSAR as her condition worsened. She died Sunday midnight.
Meanwhile, a control room has been opened at the municipality office. While the civic body launched a sanitation drive in all wards on a war-footing by appointing a nodal officer in each ward, the excise department has been asked to close all country liquor dens operating in the town.
The PH department is identifying pipelines passing through drains and disconnected them to prevent further spread of the disease. PNN