Govt attributes cholera outbreak to intake of contaminated water

The Public Health department on Tuesday confirmed the outbreak of cholera at Kashipur in Rayagada district. The disease has claimed seven lives so far.

Attributing the spread of cholera to consumption of contaminated water, Public Health director Niranjan Mishra said, “Samples have been collected from 14 rectal swabs and eight water sources out of which cholera bacteria was found in three water sources and seven rectal swabs.”

“So far, 96 persons of Rayagada are down with cholera and seven died of it. The health department is leaving no stone unturned to contain the disease from spreading. Health department employees along with ASHA workers are creating awareness among residents about the disease by door-to-door visiting. Medical teams have also been deployed to provide immediate service to ailing patients. A special ward has been opened at Utkal Alumina Hospital where 50 beds are reserved for cholera patients”, said Mishra.

Meanwhile, diarrhoea causing bacteria has been identified as Vibrio Cholera in the district. Three out of nine samples of rectal swab of patients in the district were found to have presence of the carrier bacteria.

The Regional Medical and Research Centre (RMRC) field unit in Tikiri and Dhudukabahal villages under Kashipur block has submitted the report after examining the samples following five days’ of observation. 

Doctor R Rama Rao said, “Apart from three mobile teams, three teams of doctors from different districts have been deployed to take stock of the situation. Medicine specialist from Koraput also visits the affected areas whenever necessary.”

Kashipur Block Development Officer Debasis Kar said, “ Five teams of medicos are trying their best to contain the disease. Besides, Additional District Medical Officer and Chief District Medical Officer are regularly paying visit to hospitals where patients are treated. A team from Centre has recently paid visit to Kashipur block.  The situation has come under control a bit.”

Meanwhile, the second phase monsoon session of the State Assembly on Tuesday witnessed uproar over the outbreak of cholera in Kashipur block in Rayagada district.

Congress leader Narasingha Mishra attacked the government for its failure to check the disease in the block. When the district collector confirmed the outbreak of cholera in Kashipur, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister has a different take on it. He informed the House that diarrhoea has broken out in the locality. As opinion of collector and Minister differed from each other, Mishra demanded the government to clarify its stand about the disease.”