Cholera toll rises to 84 in south Orissa

The Pioneer, Aug 27, 2007
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

... Central team in State, CM to visit affected areas today

At least 84 persons have died of cholera and several thousands affected by the killer disease in the three tribal-dominated districts of Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi. The epidemic has threatened to grip the entire Southern Orissa.

However, State Health Secretary Chinmoy Basu on Sunday confirmed that the death toll had been restricted to 70. He further said as many as 1,000 people have been affected by cholera and diarrhoea. "The diarrhoea has taken the shape of cholera," he admitted, adding that all efforts have been put into press to contain the spread of the killer disease.

"Some of these cases which have claimed lives are due to cholera," Basu said, adding the administration was facing constraints as the affected tribals were not willing to be treated in hospitals. "Now they are being forcibly lifted to hospitals in vehicles for treatment with the help of local panchayat representatives," he said, adding that public announcements were being made through loudspeakers in these areas urging people to take precautionary steps. 22 mobile health units and 12 medical teams have been put into service.

Alarmed at the outbreak of cholera, the Centre has rushed a high-level team to take stock of the situation. A three-member team led by Siblal of the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD)) has reached here. The team will undertake a visit to Kashipur and Jaswantpur where the disease has taken the shape of an epidemic. The team also held a detailed discussion with the State Health Secretary and Director of Heath Service Usha Patnaik.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will also pay a visit to Kashipur to take stock of the situation. Sources said he would be accompanied by State Heath Minister Duryodhan Majhi. Leader of Opposition JB Patnaik will also visit the area on Monday. He will be accompanied by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Chandrasekhar Sahu.

Meanwhile, Regional Medical Centre (RMC) on Sunday submitted its inquiry report on the Kashipur incident. In its report, the officials admitted that about 70 per cent of the water sources of the Raygada district have already been contaminated. "Serious steps should be taken to disinfect the water," the report suggests.

Official sources said, a total of 70 villages spread over three districts have already come under the grip of the killer disease during the past 40 days and several thousand people have been affected by it. State Agriculture Minister Surendranath Naik has already paid a visit to Rayagada district.