Cuttack, Feb. 7: An autorickshaw driver, who had been under treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital, today died allegedly of jaundice at Jobra in the city.
The deceased has been identified as B. Behera from Angul.
"The person was also suffering from fever and diabetes. We suspect that the jaundice outbreak at Jobra is mainly due to water contamination," said Hemant Behera, councillor of ward No. 41.
"We are yet to get a confirmation on the exact cause of the death as the patient was admitted to the hospital on February 4," said Cuttack Municipal Corporation's health officer P.K. Pradhan.
More than 51 sporadic cases of jaundice have been reported from several localities, and the outbreak is primarily concentrated at Jobra, Gahmandia and Thoria Sahi.
The outbreak is attributed to the contamination of drinking water due to leaks in the pipelines. "In spite of complaints, the pipelines here have not been changed for the past 20 to 25 years," said local resident Suvendu Mohanty.
The outbreak has prompted the district administration to come up with a long-term action plan to contain its spread to other localities in the municipal corporation limits.
"The situation is being monitored, and a massive awareness drive has been launched in the affected pockets, while the public health department has been asked to detect the source of contamination and provide safe drinking water to the residents," said collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra.
A joint squad of the civic body's health officials and the chief district medical officer today began distribution of chlorine and halogen tablets in the affected pockets at Jobra and other areas.
Mishra said the supply of safe drinking water through tankers had started, and officials had been asked to go for chlorination to ensure safe drinking water in the city.
District education officers have also been asked to instruct schools to clean their overhead tanks and make sure that the water purifiers were in working condition. Besides, school students would be educated to consume water after boiling.
Blood samples of 10 persons have been sent to the microbiology department to ascertain whether they have type A or E Hepatitis.
Officials of the joint squad and the chief district medical officer today began door-to-door visits to create awareness on the issue.