First dengue death in state this year in Barbil

Barbil/Cuttack: The first dengue death in Odisha this year was reported from Keonjhar district when a patient under treatment at the Barbil Community Health Centre (CHC) succumbed to the disease this afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Sukramani Sandil of Colony No-3 of Barbil Municipality.

Sources in the hospital said Sukramani was admitted to the CHC a couple of days ago in a critical condition. She showed no signs of recovery despite treatment by the doctors, they said.

Her condition deteriorated further today and he died late in the afternoon, family sources said.

Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), informed that of the 706 blood samples tested so far, 246 have turned out positive.

Confirming the death of a patient in Barbil CHC, he said till date, a total of 19 patients, including adults and the children, have been admitted to the district headquarters hospital while 15 patients have been admitted in the Barbil Community Health Centre (CHC).

Meanwhile, panic has gripped Cuttack city as the vector-borne disease has spread to areas other than Jagatpur.

While 21 patients have been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, one of whom had to be admitted in the ICU after his condition became critical.

In Jagatpur Industrial Estate area on the outskirts of the city, the number of dengue patients went up to 25 after a patient tested positive today.

To take stock of the situation, the Odisha Industries Association had a meeting presided over by district collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra in Jagatpur Industrial Estate earlier in the day.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Mishra said keeping the outbreak of dengue in Jagatpur Industrial Estate in 2013 in mind, a team of doctors of the State Entomology department had visited the industrial estate areas about three weeks back to study the sanitation and cleanliness of the whole area and found traces of Aedes mosquitoes, which cause dengue.

The purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the industries to keep their environment clean and identify persons afflicted with dengue and admit them to the hospital.

Asked about the situation in the city, he said the Health department has taken all steps to stop the disease from spreading to other localities.

Chief District Medical Officer, Cuttack, Prafulla Behera said special arrangements have been made in the SCB Medical College to accommodate more patients.

He further said special measures are being taken in the Jagatpur area where people have been identified as dengue patients in large numbers.