Ganjam, Oct. 1 (UDN): A suspected diarrhoea outbreak has been reported in Patashal village under Dharakote block of Odisha’s Ganjam district, with more than 15 people reportedly falling ill and one person dying over the past three days.
The deceased has been identified as 36-year-old Sushant Mallik, a resident of the village. Several others suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting have been admitted to nearby healthcare facilities, while some children are also reported to have developed symptoms.
Health Teams Step Up Surveillance
Following the report, medical teams from Dharakote and Manikapur Primary Health Centre (PHC) visited the affected village and started treatment. Several patients were taken to the PHC for medical attention.
Health personnel have also carried out door-to-door visits in the affected hamlets to identify symptomatic people and provide necessary medical assistance. Authorities are continuing surveillance to monitor the situation and prevent further spread.
Dharakote AYUSH Medical Officer Dr. Sachidananda Bisoyi said the outbreak was reported a day earlier and that the medical team immediately reached the village after receiving information. According to him, the patients who received treatment are recovering and no fresh cases had been reported at the time of the assessment.
Food Poisoning Suspected
Preliminary information suggests that some affected villagers had attended a feast in the Podamari area before developing diarrhoea and vomiting after returning home.
Medical teams have therefore raised the possibility of food poisoning, although the exact cause of the illness has not yet been established.
Drinking water and other samples collected from the area have been sent for laboratory testing. Health officials are awaiting the test results while continuing treatment and monitoring in the village.
Authorities have said the situation is currently being closely monitored, with medical teams maintaining a presence in the affected area.