5 ‘Suspicious’ Deaths In Rayagada: Odisha CM Orders Steps To Ascertain Disease, Restore Normalcy

Bhubaneswar: Concerned over the death of five persons due to unknown disease at a village in Rayagada, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday directed the authorities to ascertain the cause and bring the situation to normal.

The CM directed the Health Department and Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) to enquire and find out the reasons for such cases and take all possible steps to bring the situation to normal at Manuspadar village of Kashipur in Rayagada.

The Chief Minister has also directed the Panchayati Raj Department to provide drinking water supply and construct a motorable road to the place at the earliest, official sources said.

It may be mentioned here that five reported deaths at village Manuspadar in Kashipur block of Rayagada district have occurred over a period of one month. The village is in a remote and difficult area.

The state team had visited the area and done necessary investigations, door to door screening and treatment. Health teams are visiting daily and closely monitoring the situation.

The first four deaths were not brought to any health facility or health worker, and were cremated at community level. But they are suspected to be cases of diphtheria, sources said.

For the fifth death, samples were sent to RMRC for testing and have today been confirmed to be diphtheria.

A prophylactic dose of antibiotic has been given to all susceptible persons in the community. Symptomatic patients are responding to treatment. The situation is under control.