Bhawanipatna: After spreading its tentacles in Odisha’s Rayagada and Koraput districts, diarrhoea has reportedly claimed lives of at least 4 people in Kalahandi in one week.
According to reports, villages under Birikot, Gunpur, Badachhatranga panchayats in Kalahandi district have come under the grip of the water-borne disease for the last few days.
Damu Majhi of Semelpadar village under Birikot panchayat died due to diarrhoea on September 1. Though the 60-year-old farmer was suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting for some days, he had not gone for medical treatment. Another woman of the village, Sunang Dei, also succumbed to the disease on Saturday.
As the number of affected villagers went up, a team of doctors from community health centre (CHC) at Thuamul Rampur visited the village and conducted set up a camp for health check-up of the villagers. They found as many as 16 villagers infected by the disease and admitted them in the CHC. The doctors also distributed medicines among the villagers free of cost.
The visiting team told the media persons that consumption of polluted water from a stream near the village and unhygienic lifestyle had led to infection among the villagers. A team of Health officials has been deputed to promote awareness about hygienic practices and consumption of boiled water.
Three patients of another village under the panchayat were admitted in the CHC in critical condition. They were identified as Tikimani Majhi, Mangadei Majhi and Sukri Majhi of Kendupada village. However, their condition has improved following treatment, Health department sources said.
At the same time, Jay Majhi of Pustiguda village under Gunpur panchayat and 70-year-old Asemati Nayak of Champachua village under Badachhatranga panchayat have reportedly died of diarrhoea four days back.
Last week, at least 16 people in Jeypore block of Koraput district were affected by diarrhoea. The disease had also spread to Dasmantpur, Bariguma and Laxmipur blocks where 30-40 people were affected in each block.
Earlier, the disease had claimed the lives of 10 people in Kasipur block of Rayagada district.
