Odisha Deploys Medical Teams as Diarrhoea Spreads in Digapahandi Village

Bhubaneswar: A diarrhoea outbreak that surfaced in Ustapalli village under Digapahandi block of Ganjam district has been brought under complete control, the State Health Department confirmed on Tuesday.

The infection, which began sporadically on July 6, was contained swiftly before it could spread further. According to the department, timely medical intervention, door-to-door surveillance, and awareness campaigns played a key role in curbing the outbreak.

"Through coordinated field-level interventions and awareness drives, the situation has been brought under control," the Health Department stated in an official release.

Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra informed that a total of 11 cases were recorded in the village between July 6 and the afternoon of July 8. No new cases have been detected since then.

Of the 11 affected individuals, six were referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, while five were treated at the Digapahandi Community Health Centre (CHC). Among those referred to MKCG, five have been discharged after recovery, while a five-year-old child is undergoing additional treatment for respiratory issues. All five patients treated at Digapahandi CHC have also been discharged following full recovery.

Meanwhile, the department clarified that the two recent deaths in the village were not linked to the outbreak. “It was ascertained after post-mortem that one of the deceased, Das Sabar, 70, who died at home on July 3, was suffering from melena (black stools caused by gastrointestinal bleeding),” the statement read. He was also found to have pre-existing health conditions.

While the immediate threat has been contained, the Health & Family Welfare Department and the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department have instructed field-level officials to continue with chlorination, sanitation measures, and awareness campaigns to prevent any recurrence.

Last month, multiple districts in Odisha witnessed diarrhoea outbreaks, resulting in several deaths and prompting heightened public health surveillance across the state.

(With inputs from IANS)