A cholera outbreak in Odisha has prompted the state government to issue a high alert across all 30 districts after the disease claimed 11 lives and infected over 2,000 people. The outbreak, which began as a diarrhoeal illness in Jajpur district on June 9, has since spread to Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, and Cuttack. Health officials confirmed that 10% of tested samples were positive for the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. In response, the government has launched a multi-pronged containment strategy, including:
- Disinfection drives and sanitation campaigns in affected areas.
- Closure of street food vendors and restrictions on public feasts.
- Deployment of mobile health teams and specialists to rural pockets.
- Daily monitoring by state and district-level health authorities.
The state’s Health Secretary, Aswathy S, emphasized that while the situation is under control, the risk of reinfection remains. Public awareness campaigns are urging residents to maintain hygiene and drink safe water. With over 220 patients still under treatment in Jajpur alone, the government is working closely with central health teams to trace sources and prevent further spread
