Odisha is currently grappling with a concerning outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea, prompting authorities to issue alerts across all 30 districts. The situation has escalated rapidly, with the state government mobilizing resources to contain the spread and provide necessary medical assistance. The outbreak, which began around June 9, 2025, has already claimed at least 15 lives, with the potential for further spread if containment measures are not strictly adhered to.
The epicentre of the outbreak is Jajpur district, where seven deaths have been confirmed and over 260 people are currently receiving treatment for acute diarrhoeal symptoms. The presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera, has been confirmed in samples collected from the district, validating the severity of the situation. Other affected districts include Cuttack, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Kendrapada and Puri, indicating a widening geographical spread of the disease.
In response to the escalating crisis, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed health centres across the state to provide uninterrupted treatment, particularly in rural and high-risk areas. Several measures have been implemented to curb the spread, including a ban on roadside food vendors, disinfection of drinking water sources, and deployment of mobile medical units. The state government has also launched the "Stop Diarrhoea" campaign, which will continue until July 31, focusing on hygiene education, early detection, and prevention, especially among children under five, who are particularly vulnerable.
Local administrations in the affected districts are also taking stringent measures to contain the outbreak. In Jajpur, restrictions have been imposed in high-risk zones such as Binjharpur, Vyasanagar, Dharmasala, and Bari, with all hotels, food stalls, and meat shops ordered to shut down for two weeks. A fresh cluster of cases has emerged in Cuttack's Tangi-Choudwar block, where at least 15 people from Sundari village have reported acute diarrhoea symptoms and have been admitted to SCB Medical College for observation.
Health officials have attributed the outbreak primarily to the consumption of contaminated water and poor hygiene conditions, exacerbated by the onset of the monsoon rains. Public health authorities have urged citizens to avoid roadside food, drink only boiled or purified water, and report early symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the central government has deployed a 14-member expert team to assist in surveillance, testing, and response coordination. The team includes officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Centre for Disease Control, World Health Organisation, and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The government is also working to improve clean water access, enhance rapid diagnostic capacity, and closely monitor vulnerable populations.
The state government is facing criticism from opposition leaders, including Naveen Patnaik, who have deemed the response to the crisis as "grossly inadequate." Calls for immediate escalation of relief operations, increased manpower at health centres, and urgent efforts to contain the spread have been made.
Health experts have warned that the active southwest monsoon across Odisha could worsen the situation through flooding and water contamination if strict measures are not implemented swiftly. Authorities are intensifying public messaging and working with local panchayats and community health workers to monitor developments in remote areas.
The coming days will be crucial in curbing the spread of cholera and preventing a broader public health disaster in Odisha. With a concerted effort from state and central authorities, along with the cooperation of the public, it is hoped that the outbreak can be brought under control and further loss of life prevented.
