Jaundice Vitamin D production. Bilirubin count is lowered through bowel movements and urination, so frequent and effective feedings are especially important. Yellow discoloration of the skin, especially on the palms and the soles, but not of the sclera or inside the mouth is due to carotenemia—a harmless condition. Jaundice itself is not a disease, but rather a sign of one of many possible underlying pathological processes that occur at some point along the normal physiological pathway of the metabolism of bilirubin in blood. When red blood cells have completed their life span of approximately 120 days, or when they are damaged,
2014 Odisha jaundice outbreak monsoon floods, cases of jaundice and dengue were reported from Sambalpur. The outbreak of jaundice was attributed to broken water supply lines, into which drain water was seeping in. In late November 2014, water samples were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune. By this time, an average of 20 cases were being reported daily and 6 had died. A total of 677 cases had been reported. A state government task force was formed to stop the outbreak. The 5 water samples sent to the National Institute of Virology were found negative. 50 more water samples were sent for testing.