Odisha HC directs immediate action as Cholera Outbreak spreads

Cuttack: With cholera and diarrhoea cases increasing across the state, the Odisha High Court has asked the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and district administration to act urgently and together to control the outbreak. 

During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to civic problems in the city, the court was informed on Thursday that water contamination is allegedly behind the rising number of cholera cases in Odisha.

So far, 21 people have died from the waterborne disease, and over 1,700 people across the coastal region are infected. In response, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all 30 districts on alert against the spread of the waterborne disease. 

PTI reported that the disease, which broke out in the form of diarrhoea in Jajpur district on June 9, has so far spread to other districts including Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack. Some other districts have also reported sporadic cases of diarrhoea, while samples collected from Jajpur detected the cholera bacteria.

Also read- Odisha CM directs measures to curb rising diarrhoea, cholera cases

Considering the rising number of cases, the Division Bench comprising Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh directed that drains must be cleaned immediately, especially in areas like Budhithakurani Lane, Chandi Chhowk, Raja Bagicha Gada, and wards 13, 18, and 19 to prevent the spread of disease. 

The court said, “Since the cleaning of drains is intrinsically connected with supply of safe drinking water which is essential for containing the spread of cholera, necessary steps in this regard shall be taken within the next three days particularly in the areas relating to Budhithakurani Lane, Chandi Chhak and Raja Bagicha Gada and also Ward Nos 13, 18 & 19."

In response, the CMC Commissioner Anam Charan Patra and Additional District Magistrate Shibo Toppo, who joined the hearing online, told the court that steps had already been taken to control the situation. Officials from the Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco) also said they were working on solutions.

However, members of the Bar Association expressed doubts about the claims made by the authorities. Taking note of their concerns, the division bench issued detailed instructions.

As per a TOI news report, the court ordered the CMC and the district administration to send teams of health workers and civic staff to all city wards within a week. These teams must work under the supervision of the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) and civic body personnel. During the visits, they must coordinate with lawyer representatives from respective areas as per the existing list. A full report must be submitted to the court.

The court also focused on hygiene around street vendors, and called for public awareness campaigns to discourage the consumption of stale food.

The bench further ordered the CMC, district administration and Watco to file a detailed affidavit on the actions taken by July 1. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 3.

Also read- Diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha claims 4 lives, over 500 affected