Jaundice spreads to more pockets in Millennium city

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Cuttack, July 1: There seems to be no let up in Jaundice situation which is worsening day by day in the Millennium City gripping more areas.

Increase in number of jaundice affected persons and spreading of the disease to more pockets in the city is being attributed to the alleged inefficiency of officials of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) officials.

The water borne disease has been raging in the city for the last 20 days.

The outbreak was first reported from Ganga Mandir locality of ward No.18 where more than 15 persons were affected.

Later, it spread to Odia Bazar and Sutahat Darji Sahi locality in Ward No.18 and Patapola locality in ward no 17 where more than 20 persons have been affected by jaundice.

Admitting about spreading of the disease to the newer locations, City Health Officer Umesh Panigrahi said a 14-year-old boy K. Purusottam of Patapola locality has tested positive for Jaundice on Saturday increasing the figure of the total affected persons to 19.

“The civic body health officials are trying to conceal the figure. More than 10 persons are now suffering from the Jaundice in our locality. We are in panic as the disease is spreading day to day,” said Bijay Moharana of Sutahat.

Former Corporator of Ward No.18 Arun Kumar Sethi however has alleged that no substantial measures have yet been taken to know the exact cause of the outbreak of the disease and also to curb the spreading of the disease.

The PHEO and health officials have done nothing except providing drinking water through some plastic tanks in the affected localities.

“If health checkup camps are conducted in the affected localities, then the exact number of affected persons can be ascertained,” he remarked.

PHEO Executive Engineer Sushant Kumar Ghadei said water samples collected from the affected localities have been sent to laboratory for examination and the report is expected to be availed on Monday.  The exact cause of outbreak of Jaundice would be ascertained only after availing the report, he added.