Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 22: Four more cases of jaundice were reported from across the silver city Sunday taking the number of those affected by the water-borne disease to 160.
According to sources, while three fresh cases were reported from Qadam Rasool area, another case was reported from College Square. One more patient, who was admitted to the Medicine ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital, is also reported to be suffering from jaundice. The person hails from Jagatpur and this is the first such case from the area, though it is yet to be confirmed by authorities.
The death toll has risen to 160, with authorities confirming that a patient identified as Suli Dei of Bhadimula had died of jaundice Saturday. Another 30-year-old woman identified as Suma Bhoi, wife of Sanyasi Bhoi of Bhadimula area, is undergoing treatment for jaundice after her blood samples confirmed hepatic infection. The district administration is yet to act quickly to curb rising jaundice cases in the Bhadimula area, which is in the eastern part of the city.
According to sources, the drinking water pipeline running through the Bidyadharpur Harijan school has prominent cracks in at least five places. This apart, the pipeline going through Dolamandap Sahi in Bidyadharpur and Baghamunda Sahi in Kesharpur runs close to sewerage lines, indicating the possible source of contamination of drinking water.
”We have apprised the CMC commissioner and the Mayor of the situation a fortnight ago. Authorities have still not replaced the defective pipelines as a result of which one person has died ,” local corporator Baideswar Panda said.