TV
The diarrhoea causing bacteria has been identified as Vibrio Cholera in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Rayagada district on Sunday.
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 and five days of observation.
Briefing the media, Rayagada Collector Swadha Dev Singh informed that adequate measures have been taken to control the water-borne disease.
“For four to five days, the Kashipur block has been reporting cases of diarrhoea. It has now been confirmed as cholera outbreak. Two temporary health care centres have been established in the area and a helpline number also been issued for emergency purposes," Rayagada Collector Swadha Dev Singh said.
She added, “Some villages of Kashipur are on river bank and as per reports, the river water and the ground water is contaminated. The locals of diarrhoea contaminated village will get drinking water to be supplied through water tanker two to three times a day.”
“Over 20 people from four panchayats including Tikiri and Dhudukabahal are undergoing treatment at Kashipur and Tikiri hospitals. We have divided the patients into three categories and providing proper diagnose to them,” CDMO, Dr Lalmohan Routray said.
So far, six people have died and 71 others hospitalised due to the water-borne disease.
The water-borne disease was first reported in Maliguda village, and later in Dudukabahal, Tikiri, Gobrighati, Routghati and Jalakhura villages, officials said.
Many others in Dangasil, Renga, Hadiguda, Maikanch, Sankarada and Kuchipadar villages are also down with diarrhoea and are undergoing treatment at home, they said.
Of the 71 people who have been hospitalised after drinking water from open sources, 46 are under treatment in Tikiri Public Health Centre (PHC), 14 in Kashipur Community Health Centre and 11 girls of an ashram school in Thatibar PHC.
With the issue rocking the assembly, Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari said that a special team was formed to tackle the issue.
