Even as large-scale evacuation and relief effort saved thousands of lives in Jagatsinghpur, people here are now suffering from fever, stomach ailments and suspected dengue.
According to the District Malaria Officer Karim Bux, post-Phailin 137 persons in the entire district have been found dengue positive and referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Locals alleged that after the calamity, civic authorities are yet to pursue cleanliness drive, removing used tyres at various places as standing water in tyres are potential breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads dengue.
As on today, water stagnation can be found at several places which are possible mosquito breeding grounds and the debris left behind by Phailin is yet to be cleared in Ersama, Kujang, Paradip and Balikuda areas. Water-logging is a major problem that people in the affected areas are facing. Saline water entered into many coastal villages and has stagnated in the absence of proper drainage systems.
At Sunadiha village under Ersama block, of the 19 blood samples collected, 10 were found positive for the mosquito-borne disease. Here, as many as 30 villagers are suffering from fever after the cyclone and subsequent rain.
Seven members of the family of Sarbeswar Patra belonging to the village are currently undergoing treatment at SCB Medical for dengue. They are Sankarsan Patra, Ranjita Patra, Arati Patra, Chinmayee Patra, Laxmipriya Patra, Karisma Patra and Monorama Patra.
CDMO Binod Bihari Mohapatra said two medical teams from Ersama and Jagatsinghpur have been sent to the Sundiha village to collect blood samples and take measures to prevent spread of any epidemic. Experts said hot and humid condition is perfect for Aedes aegypti mosquito to breed.