Home / Health / Waterborne Outbreak Halts Utkal University Exams
Waterborne Outbreak Halts Utkal University Exams
3 Nov
Summary
- Waterborne diseases suspected in girls' hostels at Utkal University.
- PG mid-semester exams indefinitely postponed due to health concerns.
- Health officials deployed, samples collected, and hygiene measures implemented.
Utkal University has indefinitely postponed its postgraduate mid-semester examinations due to a suspected outbreak of waterborne diseases. The outbreak appears to have affected several students residing in girls' hostels No. 6 and 7. The decision was made to ensure student safety and allow health authorities to manage the situation.
Students began exhibiting symptoms of diarrhoea and jaundice shortly after returning from the puja vacation, leading to some requiring hospitalization. In response, university administration has initiated precautionary measures. This includes deploying health department officials and medical teams, collecting blood samples from over 30 students, and establishing a 24x7 control room, an on-campus pharmacy, and a public health service centre.
To curb further spread, authorities supplied over 1,000 litres of purified water to the affected hostels. Students have been advised to consume boiled water and maintain stringent food hygiene. A surveillance team from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is investigating the cause by collecting water and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
