After Sambalpur and Tangi in Khurdha, now jaundice has broken out in Kendrapada, State Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak’s home district.

As many as 15 persons, including 12 children, were reported to be suffering from the disease at Endor village in Kansar panchayat under Kendrapara block in last  two days. A medico team led by District Headquarters Hospital ADMO Mija Babar Beg on Tuesday rushed to the village to take stock of the situation and provide treatment to the jaundice affected patients, stated CDMO Dr Binayak Prusty.

According to the CDMO, though the reason behind the spread of jaundice in the locality is yet to be ascertained, but the Health department suspects that the outbreak of the disease might be due to the consumption of contaminated water. The medico team collected blood samples from 14 jaundice affected patients along with water sample from three tube wells, village pond and the Govari river. The locals mostly depend on these water sources daily for their routine work, starting from bathing to drinking purposes, said Prusty.

The water and the blood samples are going to be sent to the State pathology department and the Microbiology department at the SCB Medical College and Hospital for examination. After the Health department receives the report, the exact reason behind the outbreak of jaundice can be ascertained, added the CDMO.

Sources said all the 12 children, who were reeling in jaundice, were between the age group of 2 and 12 years whereas three affected persons belong to the age between of 28 and 39 years. Meanwhile, the Health Department has taken all the precautionary measures to contain the disease. “We have started monitoring the adjacent villages too to check the spread of jaundice,” Prusty informed.