Surguja: A jaundice outbreak has triggered serious concern in the Surguja region of Chhattisgarh after the death of a 13-year-old boy in Ambikapur on Tuesday. Health authorities have confirmed the death and issued urgent instructions to set up medical camps in affected areas.
The deceased has been identified as Divyansh Rai, a resident of Namnakala Khatik Para in Ambikapur. The child had been suffering from jaundice for several days and was first admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Ambikapur, where doctors confirmed the infection and later referred him to Raipur due to his critical condition.
Child Died While Being Shifted Between Private Hospitals
Despite the referral, family members chose to continue treatment at a private hospital in Ambikapur. As the child’s condition failed to improve, he was being shifted to another private hospital when he died on the way. The Health Department has officially confirmed that the cause of death was jaundice.
After the incident, the family took the body to Varanasi for last rites.
Health Department Orders Immediate Action
Following the death, panic has spread in the area as reports suggest that several other residents in the same ward are also suffering from jaundice-like symptoms.
Dr. P. S. Marko, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Ambikapur, stated that the child was referred to Raipur but was instead treated at a private facility. He added that health camps have been ordered in the affected ward to screen residents and collect detailed data on possible cases.
Dangerous Bacteria Found in Drinking Water
Meanwhile, the situation has become more alarming after tests conducted by the Health Department found the presence of E. coli bacteria in drinking water samples collected from the Navagarh area of Ambikapur. Several jaundice cases have also been reported from Navagarh and Mominpur localities.
Officials suspect contaminated drinking water to be a major cause of the outbreak, although political blame games have begun over the issue of water quality and civic management.
Medical Camps to Begin Wednesday
In response to the worsening situation, the CMHO has directed that medical screening camps be organized in the affected wards starting Wednesday. Authorities have assured that all necessary preventive and medical measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease.