Panic has spread among parents following a significant jaundice outbreak at a residential school in Odisha, which has left more than thirty students ill. The incident has triggered a major health scare and prompted urgent investigations by state authorities.
Outbreak Details and Official Response
The crisis unfolded at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Khurda district, a centrally funded residential institution. According to Odisha’s Director of Public Health, Nilakantha Mishra, the first case was identified in a student who returned to campus after the Christmas vacation. This was quickly followed by numerous other students reporting fever and symptoms of illness, with several later testing positive for jaundice.
In response, the state government deputed a medical team to the campus on Monday, January 5, 2026. The team conducted a thorough inspection, collecting water samples from the school's supply and blood samples from affected students. They also examined the dining halls, kitchen facilities, hostel, and administrative buildings to trace the source of the infection.
Contamination Fears and Conflicting Theories
Initial suspicion fell on the school's water supply. Officials from the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) visited the site to check for possible contamination. While they collected samples from the water tanks, WATCO General Manager Rajendranath Nayak downplayed the likelihood of tainted water. He stated that the supply is monitored online round-the-clock and suggested alternative causes, such as students consuming food from outside the campus.
School authorities defended their hygiene protocols, asserting that water tanks are cleaned at regular intervals. Meanwhile, the school, which has a total enrollment of 569 students from classes 6 to 12, has become the center of a growing health emergency. All students who tested positive have been sent home, and many anxious parents have arrived to collect their children until the situation is resolved.
Ongoing Vigilance and Awaiting Results
The situation remains fluid, with health officials maintaining a close watch. Test reports for over 100 students who complained of fever are still pending, indicating the number of infections could rise. Director Mishra confirmed that both district and state-level health teams are involved, with actions being taken to control the outbreak's spread.
Authorities have emphasized heightened hygiene measures and awareness campaigns within the school to prevent further cases. The incident has cast a spotlight on public health preparedness in residential educational institutions, leaving a community in distress as they await conclusive findings from the ongoing investigation.
