SAMBALPUR: With the number of jaundice patients here increasing with each passing day, the Health Department has decided to send water samples from the town to the National Institute of Virology in Pune in next two days.
The disease has claimed six lives in the town in the last six months. A survey conducted by the district health authorities revealed that 677 persons have been affected by jaundice during the period.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Jagatkrushna Samantray said around 20 jaundice cases are reported in the District Headquarters Hospital daily and of them, five to seven patients are admitted to the hospital.
The CDMO said contaminated water appeared to be the reason behind the spread of the disease. He reviewed the situation along with district administration officials at a meeting on Tuesday.
A household survey by four teams is being conducted to ascertain the cause of the disease. “During the survey so far, we have found that 677 persons had been infected by jaundice between June and November 25 in Sambalpur town. The survey also found that six persons had died due to the disease during the period,” said Additional District Medical Officer (Public Health) Ashok Das.
He said the pipelines through which water is supplied to households are lying adjacent to the drains at many places. Due to leakages in the pipelines, the drain water is seeping through and contaminating the water meant for drinking. He added that people are being apprised of preventive measures to be taken.
The PHED has formed squads to seal the leakages in the pipelines. Meanwhile, the locals submitted a memorandum to Secretary of Health Department, through the CDMO, on the issue on Wednesday.