Twin dengue death allegations: Here’s what Odisha Public Health Director says

A day after two suspected dengue deaths were reported in Bhubaneswar, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra on Monday issued a clarification on the matter.

According to Mishra, there is a specific process to declare dengue deaths. An audit is usually conducted after a hospital declares it, he said.

“No dengue death information has been received from Capital Hospital as it is being alleged. The alleged dengue death at a private hospital is in inquiry stage and a team will conduct a joint probe. Only after the death audit, it will be ascertained whether it was due to dengue or any other reason,” Mishra informed.

On the overall dengue situation in Odisha, Mishra informed that 18,124 dengue tests were conducted till yesterday and 553 positive cases have detected from 20 districts so far this year.

Out of the total positive cases, highest 336 cases are from Khordha district (including Bhubaneswar). This year the overall test positivity is quite less. Around 10,000 tests were conducted during the same period last year and 755 positive cases were detected.

“Our teams are working in close coordination with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) for intensifying surveillance and necessary preventive measures,” Mishra added.