Orissa HC asks Government to take steps to prevent Jaundice

The Orissa High Court has asked the state government to take adequate steps to prevent the jaundice menace in the state. The court asked the government to ensure that the disease does not spread to other areas. The HC was hearing a petition filed by Giribala Behera.

As the number of jaundice affected in Cuttack, rises to 104, the HC also sought a high level committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and monitor the situation. Poor sanitation, unhygienic conditions and lack of proper drinking water are said to be the key reasons behind the jaundice outbreak.

Jaundice had triggered a panic in Sambalpur district with the death of over 20 people and around 2,000 affected people. CM Naveen Patnaik had rushed to Sambalpur to announce a series of measures to provide clean drinking water and proper sanitation in the district. The central team had also visited Sambalpur to take stock of the situation. Now, the jaundice has spread to many areas of the state, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Khurda.