Bhubaneswar, Jan 10: A rise in jaundice infections among students at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Khordha district has been traced to contaminated water, health authorities confirmed on Friday. According to Dr. Nilkantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, Odisha, the outbreak appears to be linked to orofecal contamination of the water supply, which has affected the students' health.
"The source of the infections is contaminated water, which likely entered the system through improper sanitation," Dr. Mishra explained. He emphasized that any student drinking the tainted water or consuming food prepared with it is at risk. Efforts are now underway to decontaminate the water supply to ensure it is safe for consumption.
While no new cases have been reported since the initial outbreak, Dr. Mishra assured that authorities are closely monitoring the situation. "My team is actively managing the response to the disease. However, the responsibility for the water contamination lies with the water-supply department or school authorities who are in charge of managing the water supply," he added.
As of Friday, 81 students have been affected by jaundice, but 15 have been discharged after receiving treatment. Dr. Mishra confirmed that blood tests are being conducted to check if those discharged are free from jaundice and related conditions. He also stated that while no new cases have been reported, the situation is still under close observation, and any increase in cases will trigger further actions.
The outbreak has prompted a series of preventive measures. "Our teams have been visiting the school and conducting inspections to understand how the infection spread," Dr. Mishra said. "We are testing and taking appropriate steps to contain it."
The situation gained attention earlier this week when it was revealed that at least 54 students' blood samples tested positive for jaundice as of January 6, 2026. In response, state officials, including Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sanjay Roy and District Public Health Officer Dr. Ranjan Mitra, visited the campus to assess the situation and oversee preventive actions.
State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, speaking on Monday, assured the public that the health crisis at the residential school was stabilizing. He confirmed that many of the affected students were recovering, and the central team had arrived to investigate the source of the infection and ensure student safety on the campus.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, with further inspections and testing to be carried out in the coming days.
