India, June 18 -- The Odisha government on Tuesday put all 30 districts on high alert and intensified containment measures as the death toll from diarrhoea and cholera outbreak rose to 21, with over 1,700 falling sick in at least 7 districts.

While over 1,300 people of the 1,700 infected have recovered, state health secretary Aswathy S said the government is not taking any chances and ensuring that disinfection of drinking water sources continues across the state.

"We're in constant touch with a central team, which maintains that the outbreak does not yet qualify as an epidemic. But we are taking no chances and disinfecting all water sources, including in the 25 districts not currently identified as hotspots. A door-to-door awareness ca...