Bhubaneswar: At least 11 new cases of scrub typhus have been detected in Odisha’s Sundargarh district where the highly infectious disease appears to be spreading rapidly.
With the detection of these fresh cases, the total number of scrub typhus cases in Sundargarh has gone up to 180 so far this year, according to Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Sundargarh Kanhucharan Nayak.
Most of the patients belong to Sundargarh Sadar and Balishankara blocks. One patient in the district has reportedly died of scrub typhus. As many as seven new cases of scrub typhus were detected yesterday.
The CDMO said that an ample stock of medicines is available for the patients and a special team of doctors is prepared to attend to the patients in the district.
With the state government directing the district health authorities to focus on preventive measures to arrest the spread of the virus, steps have been taken to promote awareness among the people. ANM and ASHA workers are visiting households to spread awareness on preventions. Surveillance and testing of suspected patients have also been heightened.
Bargarh, another western Odisha district, has also witnessed spread of the virus. The virus has reportedly claimed the lives of 6 persons so far.
Meanwhile, a three-member medical team from Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla visited Bargarh to investigate into the death. The team comprises assistant professor Dr Shankar Ramchandani, assistant professor and microbiologist Dr Satyabrat Thakur and assistant professor of community medicine Dr Udaya Kumar Nayak.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Jitendra Mohan Bebarta said testing arrangement has been made at CHC in Bargarh for anti-body tests with ELISA technique.
