Diarrheal Outbreak at Rayagada Hostel Claims Life of 10-Year-Old Girl, 30 Students Hospitalised

Rayagada: A 10-year-old girl has died and at least 30 other students have been hospitalised following a suspected diarrheal outbreak at Bariguda Nalini Vidya Mandir hostel in Chatikona Panchayat under Bissam Cuttack block of Odisha’s Rayagada district, officials said on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Lagna Urlaka, a Class IV student from Konadi village under Bhatpur Panchayat. According to sources, Lagna began experiencing diarrhea and vomiting late Friday night. She was initially taken to a nearby medical centre, where doctors administered saline and prescribed medication. Although she returned to school after treatment, her parents later took her home, where she subsequently passed away.

Meanwhile, around 30 other students from the hostel developed similar symptoms and were admitted to the Bissam Cuttack Community Health Centre (CHC). Of them, two students were later referred to the Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for advanced treatment.

Nalini Vidya Mandir headmistress Urmila Satpathy stated that Lagna’s condition had initially appeared mild. “She showed mild symptoms and was treated promptly. Doctors did not find any serious issues at that time, but her parents chose to take her home,” she said.

Tahasildar K. Venkateswar Reddy confirmed that the condition of the other affected students is currently stable. “All the remaining students are stable and under medical observation. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread,” he said.

Officials added that the exact cause of the outbreak is yet to be determined, and health authorities have begun an investigation into possible sources, including food and water contamination at the hostel.