Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 23: The outbreak of jaundice in the western district of Sambalpur is now taking the form of an epidemic as it continues to spread to neighbouring areas. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is slated to visit the affected areas Wednesday to take stock of the situation.
According to unofficial sources, the outbreak has already claimed 19 lives in Sambalpur while about 1,288 remain affected by the disease in the locality. It was revealed that traces of jaundice have also been found in Attabira block of Bargarh district about 25 km away from the city.
About nine people who have been detected with jaundice in Attabira block were identified as natives of Sambalpur district. They were treated at the district headquarters hospital of Sambalpur. Health department officials are in the process of spreading awareness along with providing free treatment to affected people.
However, officials are finding it tough to contain the outbreak due to the heavy contamination of sewerage water. “Due to open defecation, the water in the locality has been highly contaminated with Hepatitis-E virus which is causing jaundice in the area,” said SK Kar, director of Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC). “We have collected about 72 blood samples from affected persons in Sambalpur which we have found to be affected by the virus. The source of the disease has been detected, and now it is the duty of the health provider to contain the epidemic,” Kar said.
Public Health director Kailash Dash informed Orissa POST that the epidemic will soon come under control as the health department has deployed over 150 health workers across various areas of Sambalpur.
Sources said Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati is likely to accompany the Chief Minister along with other health department officials to Sambalpur. The health minister and health secretary have already visited the district.
“The government has taken several steps to contain the spread of the disease. The housing and urban development department has made arrangements at several places for safe drinking water and free medical checkups and treatment is being provided to people and affected persons,” health secretary Arati Ahuja said.