Bhubaneswar, 06 January (H.S.): More than 30 students at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Khordha district have fallen ill with jaundice, caused by the Hepatitis A virus, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra assured that the situation is under control and that affected students are receiving prompt medical care. The outbreak reportedly occurred on January 4, 2026, after students consumed food from outside the school campus.

“All affected students are being treated and closely monitored. The school premises and water supply are under inspection to ensure hygiene standards are met. The headmaster and staff have been instructed to thoroughly clean the campus. The district administration and CDMO are actively involved, and Public Health Department officials are working on the ground. We expect all students to recover soon,” Dr. Mishra said.

District Health Department teams visited the school on Sunday, followed by a state-level medical team on Tuesday to assist with the investigation and advise on preventive measures.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda