- By Priyanka Koul
- Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Odisha Cholera Outbreak: A high-level central team comprising experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) visited Odisha’s Jajpur district on Sunday in response to a severe cholera outbreak that has already claimed 14 lives and left over 1,500 people hospitalised.
The outbreak, believed to have originated from a large community feast in Jajpur town attended by more than 2,500 people, has severely impacted four rural blocks: Danagadi, Korei, Rasulpur, and Dharmasala and one urban local body as per HT. "Out of the 41 faecal samples sent to the laboratory from Jajpur district, eight tested positive for Vibrio cholerae. However, the number of affected persons is being slowly decreasing,” said Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Odisha’s Public Health Department.
Health officials informed Hindustan Times that most patients are exhibiting symptoms of acute diarrhoeal disorders and dehydration. Several critical cases have been referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for specialised treatment.
State health minister Mukesh Mahaling assured the public that the situation is under control. “We have deployed an additional health team from SCB Medical College and Hospital to support the efforts here. We’re taking every measure to prevent further outbreaks. I appeal people to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as loose motion, vomiting, or abdominal pain, rather than consulting local quacks or medicine stores. Cholera outbreak is a major concern, and we need to take collective efforts to prevent its spread,” he said.
Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the government’s handling of the situation. “What had not been seen for many years has now disrupted public life in various districts. While cholera is spreading in Odisha, the state government’s casual approach to it is shocking and disturbing to everyone,” he wrote on X. He also urged immediate and decisive action to curb the disease’s spread.
This is not the first time Odisha has faced such a crisis. In December 2023, a cholera outbreak in Rourkela led to 11 deaths and over 1,800 hospitalisations. In 2022, a similar outbreak occurred in Rayagada, resulting in 10 fatalities and over 400 reported cases.
Over the past 25 years, cholera has remained a recurring public health challenge in Odisha, particularly in southern districts like Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Nuapada. From 2011 to 2020 alone, the state recorded 19 outbreaks. These regions, often inhabited by lower-income communities, rely heavily on untreated water sources such as ponds, rivers, wells, and ditches for daily activities—significantly increasing the risk of transmission.
