Cholera spreads, KBK areas quarantined

The New Indian Express, Aug 26, 2007

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Saturday rushed medical teams and senior health officials to Rayagada as samples collected from the patients in Kashipur and Dasmantpur confirmed the presence of ‘vibrio cholera bacteria.’

The MKCG Medical, Berhampur on Friday confirmed the presence of the deadly bacteria and sought immediate steps to contain cholera from spreading.

As a precautionary measure, the Government sealed the area as unofficially over 100 deaths were reported from the two blocks and more than 2,800 people were being treated at various hospitals. Considering the gravity of the situation, 18 medical teams were rushed to the blocks.

Agriculture Minister S N Naik rushed to the area to take stock of the situation. The Government alerted all the KBK districts to take precautionary measures to prevent the disease from spreading. The affected areas have been quarantined to ensure that the disease did not assume an epidemic proportion.

All the chief district medical officers of KBK districts have been asked to mobilise doctors and medicine to the affected areas.

Official sources so far claimed that 46 people had died in Rayagada district. Neighbouring blocks in Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts reported diarrhoea and gastroenteritis creating panic among the tribals.

Reports of spreading of cholera have been pouring in. About 300 tribals are undergoing treatment for acute diarrhoea and vomiting in Dasmantpur block.

Rayagada Collector Bhasakar Jyoti Sharma is camping in Kashipur and Koraput Collector B K Sahu is in Dasmantpur block to monitor the situation. Ten years ago, cholera had assumed epidemic proportion at Borrigumma block in Koraput district claiming 200 lives.