Jaundice In Khordha JNV: Two Water Samples Found Positive
A jaundice outbreak at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Gurujanga, Khordha district, Odisha, affected dozens of students, with contaminated water identified as the primary cause.
Over 70 students and some staff tested positive for jaundice (likely Hepatitis A) by early January 2026, prompting parents to withdraw around 200-225 students from the 550-student residential campus. Health officials collected blood samples from affected individuals and water from 12 campus points, including 41 storage tanks supplied by Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco).
Two water samples from campus supply points tested positive for contamination, confirming bacterial issues despite Watco’s claims of regular monitoring and chlorination. School authorities noted tanks were cleaned twice yearly, but parents alleged poor maintenance contributed.
The school shut down until January 14, 2026, for sanitation, medical checks, and water purification. No new cases were reported by January 9-10, with ongoing surveillance by public health teams. Affected students received treatment and recovered, per officials.
