2014 Odisha hepatitis outbreak

2014 Odisha Hepatitis Outbreak
Disease	Hepatitis E
Location	Odisha, India
Date	2014
Confirmed cases	6,000+
Deaths	17

The 2014 Odisha hepatitis outbreak was a significant public health crisis that occurred in the state of Odisha, India, primarily affecting the city of Cuttack and its surrounding areas. The outbreak was caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated water supplies.

Background

Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus, which is a non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. It is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water. The disease is endemic in many parts of the world, including India, where sanitation and water quality can be compromised.

Outbreak Details

The outbreak in Odisha was first reported in early 2014 when a significant number of patients presented with symptoms of acute viral hepatitis, including jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea. The majority of cases were reported in the city of Cuttack, but the outbreak also affected other districts in Odisha.

Epidemiology

The outbreak resulted in over 6,000 confirmed cases of hepatitis E, with 17 reported deaths. The high number of cases was attributed to the contamination of the local water supply, which was found to be polluted with sewage. The affected population primarily consisted of adults, with a higher incidence in males.

Response

The Odisha state government, in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), initiated a series of measures to control the outbreak. These included:

• Distribution of safe drinking water to affected areas.
• Public health campaigns to educate the population about hygiene and sanitation practices.
• Medical treatment and support for those affected by the virus.
• Efforts to improve the infrastructure of water supply and sanitation systems.

Impact

The outbreak highlighted the vulnerabilities in the public health infrastructure of Odisha, particularly in terms of water supply and sanitation. It also underscored the need for improved surveillance and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks.

Prevention

Preventive measures for hepatitis E include ensuring access to clean drinking water, improving sanitation facilities, and promoting good hygiene practices. Vaccination against hepatitis E is available, but it is not widely used in endemic areas.

Also see

• Hepatitis E
• Public health in India
• Waterborne diseases
• Epidemiology of viral hepatitis