Jaundice Outbreak Affects Over 50 in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur

A sudden outbreak of jaundice in Dandasahi village, located in the Biridi block of Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, has led to alarm as over 50 individuals have reported illness within just five days. Health officials are investigating the possibility that contaminated water is the source of this outbreak, which has raised significant concerns among local residents.

Symptoms of jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes, fatigue, and nausea, have been observed among the affected individuals. Despite the severity of the outbreak, many villagers are opting for traditional remedies instead of seeking medical care. Reports indicate that patients are traveling to Salepur to consult traditional practitioners rather than visiting healthcare facilities.

Health department teams, along with a four-member unit from the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation (RWSS), have arrived in the village to evaluate the situation. Officials are conducting laboratory tests on water samples and initiating sanitation measures for local tubewells. While contaminated water is the primary suspicion, officials have not yet confirmed it as the sole cause of the outbreak.

The lack of health awareness among the residents has contributed to their reliance on folk healing practices, which poses serious risks. The district administration has urged villagers to avoid untreated water and to seek prompt medical attention if jaundice symptoms develop. Increased awareness campaigns and water purification initiatives are expected to be implemented in the coming days.

Madhusmita Bhoi, a resident of Dandasahi, expressed her concerns, stating, “Even medical reports did not reflect any diagnosed disease. When we went to Salepur for Jhadaphunka (a traditional practice), jaundice was ‘detected’. There is no provision of pure drinking water here.”

Yudhisthir Behera, the former sarpanch of the village, emphasized the need for health education, noting, “Under the influence of blind belief, some people have gone to Salepur for a cure. We have repeatedly created awareness among the residents against this since July 27, 2023, advising them not to rely on sorcerers and traditional methods of treatment.”

As the situation develops, health authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to manage the outbreak and ensure the well-being of the community in Jagatsinghpur.