Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: At least five patients have been tested positive for cholera, a bacteria-borne disease, in Rayagada district, said Health Minister Damodar Rout here on Saturday.
 
The district administration had sent samples of 16 patients, who were admitted to diarrhoea ward of the Rayagada hospital, to a laboratory in the district.
 
Sources said all the 16 patients were from J K Pur, an outskirt of Rayagada town.
 
"Yesterday, 16 people were diagnosed with diarrhoea. We sent samples of the patients to the laboratory and found five tested positive for cholera. We are taking precautionary measures and all the patients are stable," said the health minister.
 
The administration collected drinking water samples to know the cause of the disease. Besides, it also initiated measures to sensitise the people.
 
"We have kept ORS medicine ready with ASHA and Anganwadi workers. After testing the drinking water samples we will be able to know the source of infection," said Dr P K Das, CDMO, of the district.
 
However, residents of the affected area gave a different version. They alleged that they had not got any medical attention apart from a few medicinal help from Anganwadi workers.
 
"Only Anganwadi workers have helped us with few medicines. No doctor has come to this place so far," Sunil Pani, a resident of J K Pur.
 
Cholera and diarrhoea are reported from the villages of Rayagada almost every monsoon.
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