Maximum loss of life caused by epidemics reported from districts of Rayagada, Koraput and Kalahandi

Epidemics, biggest killer in State
Expressbuzz, Nov 2, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: The health-care administration in the State has found itself in a quandary following the release of a disaster risk report.


The document, released by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on the Orissa Disaster Preparedness Day, has found that on an average 617 people die due to epidemics in a year and collectively it is much higher than the number of lives claimed by any major natural calamity like flood or cyclone.

While in the last 38 years all the natural disasters (including health hazards) have killed over 50,000 people, the epidemics have claimed over 23,446 lives, it pointed out.

While in 1986, 103 epidemics were recorded, in 1998 it was 96 and in 1981 it was 81, the report said adding according to data sourced from the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of Health and Family Welfare Department, the outbreak of epidemics in the State takes place mostly in summer and rainy seasons.

While collection of drinking water from open source after heatwave conditions could be a major cause followed by contamination of water after flood or cyclone, it pointed out.

The highest incidence of epidemics is reported in July, August and September and majority of the population is affected in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Bhadrak and Jajpur. The districts which have the least affected population include Sonepur, Boudh, Deogarh and Malkangiri.

The largest number deaths occurred in 1998 which was also a year of heatwave causing maximum human casualty. The maximum loss of life caused by epidemics has been reported from districts of Rayagada, Koraput and Kalahandi.

As the report takes into account of a trend of nearly four decades, there should be adequate measures for better health-care delivery and provision of assured drinking water supply to the regions concerned in future, said a health researcher.