2014 Odisha jaundice outbreak

2014 Odisha Jaundice Outbreak
Disease	Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E
Location	Odisha, India
Date	2014
Confirmed cases	2000+
Deaths	30+

The 2014 Odisha jaundice outbreak was a significant public health crisis that occurred in the state of Odisha, India, primarily affecting the cities of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Sambalpur. The outbreak was caused by the contamination of drinking water with the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses, leading to widespread cases of jaundice.

Background

Odisha, a state on the eastern coast of India, has faced challenges with waterborne diseases due to inadequate sanitation and water supply infrastructure. The 2014 outbreak highlighted the vulnerabilities in the public health system and the need for improved water quality management.

Causes

The outbreak was primarily attributed to the contamination of drinking water sources with sewage. The Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses, which are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, were identified as the causative agents. Poor sanitation practices and the lack of proper sewage treatment facilities contributed to the spread of the viruses.

Impact

The outbreak resulted in over 2000 confirmed cases of jaundice, with more than 30 reported deaths. The cities of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Sambalpur were the most affected, with hospitals overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking treatment.

Response

The state government of Odisha, along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, initiated several measures to control the outbreak. These included:

• Distribution of safe drinking water through tankers.
• Public awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation.
• Vaccination drives for Hepatitis A.
• Upgrading water treatment facilities and repairing leaking pipelines.

Prevention

To prevent future outbreaks, the government emphasized the need for:

• Improved sanitation infrastructure.
• Regular monitoring of water quality.
• Community education on hygiene practices.

Also see

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis E
• Waterborne diseases
• Public health in India