Outbreak of epidemic is looming large following floods in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. While two persons have died of diarrhoea in Morada, several others have been hospitalised.
The deceased, Muchiram Soren (53) and Raunde Murmu (70), belonged to flood-hit Kusumakuti village in Mayurbhanj district. Soren succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment in Morada hospital a couple of days back while Murmu died at her home on Monday. According to sources, more than 100 persons were affected by the water-borne disease and as many persons were down with fever in Basta, Baliapal, Bhogarai, Jaleswar, Remuna and Sadar blocks of Balasore district and Badasahi, Morada, Bisoi, Bangriposhi, Betnoti, Shyamakhunta, Kuliana, Rasgobindpur and seven other blocks of Mayurbhanj.
Many affected persons have been admitted to diffeent health centres, while health teams are treating patients in villages. A team of doctors on Tuesday rushed to Kusumakuti village.
Though district health officials said there was no reason to panic, they admitted to rising number of gastroenteritis cases in both the districts. Consumption of contaminated water and unhygienic food amid heavy rains is believed to be the main cause of spurt in diarrhoea cases.
“Medical teams have been pressed into service and health workers are distributing medicines, halogen tablets and ORS packets in the flood affected areas,” said Balasore CDMO Anup Ghosh. The sources said deprived of safe drinking water, flood affected people consumed water from polluted sources. In the absence of hand-pumps, most people use water from ponds and nullahs. The villagers said affected persons in interiors are facing difficulty in reaching the hospitals as the roads have been breached by flood water.
In-charge of epidemic ward of Baripada Hospital Krutibas Ghadei said deaths reported from Morada area were due to consumption of rotten meat and infected ‘handia’ (a country brew).
Meanwhile, locals have requested the Government to supply safe drinking water and fill up vacant doctors posts in health centres.