Dikhyaa Mohanty 
There are reports that fewer patients are experiencing mild symptoms, signaling that the diarrhea epidemic in Rourkela, which resulted in at least six fatalities, has subsided. A delegation from the State, headed by Health Secretary Shalini Pandit, inspected a number of Rourkela hospitals and locations to assess the situation. Senior health officials were present when the team met and had discussions with the leaders of all private medical facilities, the government hospital in Rourkela, IGH, Sundergarh Medical College, and Hi-Tech Medical College.
“The situation has been stable since yesterday as cases are not rising. The new patients who are coming to the hospital complain of mild symptoms as water and food inspection has been stepped up. We expect that the situation will come under control within next two to three days,” Pandit said.
Usually, contaminated food and water are the cause of diarrhea, but cases have been reported from various sources in this instance. Thus, a microbiological and epidemiological analysis of the cases is being carried out. She said that the analysis has been initiated by the Sundergarh Medical College community medicine department. To further investigate the origins of the outbreak, a team from SCB, Cuttack, and RMRC, Bhubaneswar, will also participate in the research. According to Pandit, they will also recommend corrective actions to stop the disease from spreading further. She also mentioned that starting today, ten PHCs will be open around-the-clock in the city.
