Cuttack, Nov. 29: Diarrhoea cases continue to be reported from various wards in the city.

So far, nearly 30 cases have been reported within a fortnight from various pockets, including Seikh Bazar, Odia Bazar and Diwan Bazar.

Over 200 people have been afflicted with the sporadic disease from Cuttack ever since the first case was reported in April.

Twenty diarrhoea cases were then reported from two localities — Khannagar and Khapuria — in October, while another 60 people were taken ill after they had consumed food in a feast at Bidanasi in November first week. One person has died of diarrhoea in the city.

“Diarrhoea outbreak so far has not been confined to a particular area rather sporadic diarrhoea cases are being reported from various parts of the city,” said city health officer P.K. Pradhan.

Pradhan said the public health department officials had carried out a massive super chlorination of various potable water sources and water samples had also been collected for tests. Besides, immediate repair of the water supply pipelines is also being done following complaints.

The sporadic diarrhoea outbreak could also be due to consumption of contaminated or stale food, especially during Bali yatra. Measures are being taken to create awareness among people in this regard, Pradhan said.

Earlier, it was suspected that water contamination could be key reason for the rise in diarrhoea cases in Cuttack. However, an official said the public health department had undertaken adequate measures to check water contamination. Water contamination was caused as sewage had contaminated source of potable water during the post-Phailin period, when the city had received heavy rainfall and subsequently suffered from waterlogging for nearly two days in October. The district administration had launched a training of nearly 300 anganwadi workers and other voluntary groups to create awareness at all the 54 wards under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation limits.

Each health worker was provided with nearly 1,000 halogen tablets, 1kg of bleaching powder and 10 ORS packets. They were asked to conduct a detail assessment of the situation in the city.

A district administration official said the launch of the awareness camp had contained the diarrhoea outbreak. Moreover, with sporadic cases continuing to be reported, emphasis will be given to tackle the situation at the earliest.