India, June 17 -- The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert following a diarrhoea outbreak that began in Jajpur and has now spread to parts of four other districts.

"Not just the five affected districts, but all 30 have been directed to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to contain the spread," said health Commissioner-Cum-Secretary Aswathy S after a high-level review meeting held today.

In the past 10 days, over 300 fresh diarrhoea cases have been reported across five districts. The district Health officials have been instructed to keep hospitalised patients under 24-hour observation.

The Health Secretary assured that most new cases are mild. Still, precautionary efforts, especially the disinfection of...