Dengue scare has gripped North Odisha with three persons, two from Balasore and one from Bhadrak, falling prey to the vector-borne disease in last few days. Six others including four children suffering from the disease have been admitted to different hospitals.
Earlier, a child from Sinduradi village in Bhogarai block had died of dengue and on Sunday, Shiva Narayan Patra (34) of Kanpur village succumbed to the disease in a hospital in Cuttack. Patra, who was working in a private company in Hyderabad, had come home recently after he suffered from dengue fever there. He was initially rushed to Jaleswar hospital and later shifted to Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.
Similarly, Jitendra Nath (22) of Jantuali village under Chandabali block in Bhadrak died of the disease while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical, Cuttack. Nath was diagnosed with the disease eight months back and had undergone treatment then. After he was cured of dengue, Nath had gone back to work at Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, panic has gripped Godhibasa slum area in Balasore town after four children, including a girl, in the age group of eight to 12 years were detected with dengue in last five days. All four have been admitted to dengue ward of the district headquarters hospital.
There are also reports of people suffering from prolonged fever in Bhogarai area which had recorded highest number of dengue patients last year. The district had reported 438 dengue cases in 2010.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Balasore Anup Kumar Ghosh said a team of doctors visited Godhibasa slum where fever cases were reported. Blood samples of the patients have been collected and sent for test.
Health officials said there are other vector-borne diseases like malaria which the people should be aware of.
While the public health department has been asked to supply safe drinking water, municipality and NAC officials were directed to keep the environment and drains clean.
GRIM SCENARIO
■ On Sunday, Shiva Narayan Patra (34) of Kanpur village succumbed to the disease in a hospital in Cuttack
■ Jitendra Nath (22) of Jantuali village under Chandabali block in Bhadrak died of the disease while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical, Cuttack
■ A team of health officials visited Godhibasa slum where fever cases were reported