CUTTACK: Eight youths of Balasore district, who were suffering from an unidentified disease, were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Tuesday. They tested negatives for H1N1 (Swine Flu) and dengue on Wednesday, the tests for which were conducted by the SCBMCH authorities, said Superintendent Prof. Prasanna Debata. All of them hailing from Nimatpur in Bhograi area of Balasore district, were working in a restaurant in Goa where they complained of uneasiness and returned home.
They were first admitted to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and later shifted to SCBMCH with the help of district administration. “After being brought here they were kept in an isolation ward and now their condition is stable,” said Prof Debata. The patients who have been kept in isolation are undergoing treatment in disaster ward, Debata said and added that the hospital has been providing necessary diagnosis and treatment free of cost.
Ruling out the possibility of the eight being affected by Nipah (NiV) virus, Debata said there is no symptom of Nipah virus. The youths are suffering from cold and fever, he added. “We are conducting several other investigations to identify the disease, the reports of which are expected to come out in day or two,” said Debata. The youths have been identified as Gautam Jena (22), Rajendra Parida (18), Manoranjan Jena (23), Sukadev Jena (18), Biswa Ranjan Jena (24), Ratan Jena (18) and Tapan Dalai (18).