Vikash Sharma

Jharsuguda: A medical team from Koraput on Monday reached at MV-79 Tamanapalli village in Malkangiri district to ascertain the reason behind the death of six infants at MV-79 Tamanapalli village in a short span of 15 days.

Earlier, a medical team from Kalimela had collected blood samples from some infants who complained of symptoms of fever, cold, cough and vomiting.

While talking to reporters in Jharsuguda today, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das stated that, “From some samples, it is found that the infants are suffering from acute respiratory infection. Medical teams are collecting blood samples. Once all the reports come, we will see what best can be done in this regard.”

Das further informed that already medical teams are at the ground and adequate steps are being taken to conduct health check-up of the children and collect blood samples.

Earlier, the death of six infants in the age of groups of four to five months in 15 days had sparked panic among the residents of Tamanapalli village in Malkangiri district. As all the infants had complained of fever, cold, cough and vomiting, their deaths had sparked Japanese Encephalitis scare in the region as the disease had claimed lives of over 100 children in Malkangiri a few years back.

The doctors’ team from Koraput has been instructed to conduct proper screening and check up and necessary tests of  infants in the village for next one week.

“The death of infants could be due to acute respiratory infection. Usually, the infants needs care and adequate stress needs to be given on their diet as well. At present, the situation is under control. Samples are being collected so as to ascertain the actual reason behind the deaths,” said a member of the Koraput Medical team.

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