Bhubaneswar: To combat the increase in diarrhoea cases across several districts, the housing and urban development department on Sunday issued an urgent advisory for urban local bodies and district authorities.
The directive comes as multiple areas, including Bhubaneswar, report a surge in cases, with residents of a prominent housing society in the city affected by suspected viral hepatitis due to groundwater contamination.
Principal secretary of the department, Usha Padhee, mandated immediate preventive and response measures, emphasising enhanced vigilance and real-time monitoring of water sources.
“Prevention is key. We must act swiftly to safeguard communities and contain the spread,” Padhee said, highlighting the necessity for coordinated efforts with the health and family welfare department.
The comprehensive advisory outlines several crucial measures for urban local bodies and district officials to implement, including immediate inspection and sanitisation of drinking water sources, and swift identification and response to potential hotspots.
Ground-level officials have also been directed to strengthen coordination with the health teams for effective outcomes. The directive emphasises community engagement and field staff sensitisation regarding proper hygiene practices.
Senior district officers have been instructed to maintain close monitoring and promptly report any clusters or patterns of mass cases. The department is facilitating emergency water quality checks and intensifying sanitation drives.
In an official statement, the department announced the launch of public awareness campaigns to prevent further outbreaks. It urged citizens to exercise caution by consuming only safe drinking water and immediately reporting any symptoms to nearby health facilities or urban health officials.
“The coordinated approach between various govt departments and local bodies aims to effectively manage the situation and prevent further outbreaks in urban areas. We are closely monitoring the situation and implementing preventive measures across affected districts,” an official said.
