Sambalpur: Health officials in Sambalpur have identified contaminated water as a significant factor in the recent outbreak of jaundice in four city slums.
A total of 68 jaundice cases have been reported so far, with two patients hospitalised on Friday, where a majority of patients are below 15 years, additional district medical officer (ADMO), Ashok Das, said.
Sources said, residents of the affected slums have been consuming contaminated water. Besides water in several ice candy factories and cold drinks being sold by street vendors have also been found contaminated.
The alarming rise in cases has prompted Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan to call for stringent action against those responsible. Mahendra Nanda, a health officer in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC), said, “We have been regularly visiting the area and taking cognisance of the matter. Only these four areas have jaundice cases. We are conducting raids on food outlets in the area. If any vendor or shop is found selling contaminated food or drinks, we will seal their shop for seven days.”
According to the ADMO, “The ice candy samples have eebn found with contaminated water. Some water samples have been also found contaminated.”

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