Mysterious disease breaks out in Odisha village, over 30 people suffering with 'no medical help'

A mysterious fever has gripped Birikote village under Mohana block in Odisha’s Gajapati district, raising serious concerns among the villagers as the cause remains undetermined. The unknown disease, which people initially thought was malaria, has already affected 30-40 people, including children in the village.

The mystery illness has resulted in widespread panic in the village. The patients are showing symptoms of high fever, joint pain, severe headache, swelling of limbs, and sensation during urination. With most of the villagers hailing from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, they have been deprived of medical assistance and are battling for their lives at their homes.

No medical team has allegedly reached the village despite the number of cases rising every day.

“All of a sudden, I experienced a fever with severe pain in my joints. It is not just joint pain; there is pain in the fingers and body. The limbs and hands are swelling. There is a severe headache and high fever,” a patient said.

“The affected persons are high on fever. There is also severe swelling of their hands and feet with serious joint pain. Three of them were taken to the patient. But, the doctor sent us away and told us to come after three days. Those who have money went to Mohana hospital, but the poor are suffering now,” a local woman Sanjukta Singh said.

“More than 30 to 40 people have been affected by the disease. Just now, an auto-rickshaw full of people left the village for hospital,” she added.

When contacted, Prasanta Sahu, a doctor at Birikote Community Health Centre said, “They are showing symptoms of fever, knee and joint pains, sensation during urination. We tested them for Malaria, but the test was negative. I have sent the sample for the test to Mohana for examination.”

A medical team will be sent to the village for examination, he added.