Fourteen new cases of jaundice were confirmed in Bhubaneswar, taking the total number of water-borne diseases in three districts across Odisha to over 100 since last couple of weeks.
A high-level meeting under chairmanship of Housing and Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singh Deo was held to discuss emergence of jaundice in different districts especially in Bhubaneswar here on Friday.
Public Health department had collected water samples from Jharana Basti, near Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence, and Damana area of the city. “Water supplied through pipelines has not been contaminated while open well sources have been infected,” said HUD department here.
“We have asked people not to use water from open well. Steps are being taken on war-footing for detection of jaundice-affected people and their treatment. Contaminated wells have been sealed,” said HUD Minister Mr. Singh Deo.
As per the department, 18 persons from Jharana slum area and 8 from Damana have been identified to be afflicted by jaundice.
Public Health department has been directed to set up stand-post in affected areas to prevent spread of jaundice further. Earlier, 70 cases were detected in Cuttack and seven in Angul district.
