New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS): Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Wednesday directed the immediate dispatch of a central team to assist the Odisha government in tackling the jaundice cases in the state, a statement from the ministry said Wednesday.

"Further to some reports of cases of hepatitis (jaundice) in Sambhalpur district in Odisha, a central team will be dispatched. The team will consist one member from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and one from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," Nadda said in the statement.

He said the two-member team will leave for Sambhalpur Thursday and visit the affected areas, meet the concerned field level officers and report on the epidemiological aspects of the outbreak.

"The team will also assess additional requirements to deal with the situation and suggest measures for prevention and containment," Nadda said.

He informed that the ICMR director general has advised the Regional Medical Research Centre of ICMR at Bhubaneshwar to render appropriate assistance to the state government.

The Odisha goverment has already sanctioned a Rs.100 crore package for tackling the outbreak.