Rayagada: The bacteria behind the spate of recent cases of deaths and hospitalisation in Kashipur block of Odisha’s Rayagada has been identified as Vibrio cholerae, confirming the outbreak of the dreaded cholera in the district. This was informed by Rayagada district Collector Swadha Dev Singh and Dr Bibhuti Bhushan Pal, head of a team of doctors from the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar rushed by the state government to the area.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Lalmohan Routray also confirmed that the disease was spreading from contaminated water.
Vibrio cholerae bacteria was found in the faeces of three patients from Dudukabahal village, one of several affected villages in the block. The bacteria has also been found in the water used by the villagers.
The Rayagada Collector informed that faeces samples of 10 patients were collected and sent for laboratory tests. Vibrio cholerae bacteria was found in three samples, she said. The bacteria has also been found in the water samples collected from Kashipur block and sent for tests, she said.
With cases rising, other areas of Rayagada and neighbouring Koraput and Kalahandi districts have been asked to remain alert. If rain continues, there is a fear of the disease spreading to other areas of Rayagada, Kalahandi and Koraput, the RMRC team warned.
So far, seven persons have died of suspected diarrhoea/cholera in Kashipur block while 73 others are being treated at the Community Health Centre in Kashipur, Primary Health Centre in Tikiri, District Headquarters Hospital, Aditya Birla Medical and Utkal Hospital in Ushapada, among others. One patient is undergoing treatment at the SLN Medical College & Hospital in Koraput.
After the presence of the cholera bacteria was confirmed, villagers have been asked not to use water from rivers, canals, ponds, wells and tubewells for drinking or other purposes till further orders.
During this time, water will be supplied to villages from tankers, the Collector said.
The district administration has also set up a helpline — 9437448747.
All medical facilities in Kashipur block are ready to treat patients, while a separate 50-bed ward has been set up for patients at the Utkal Hospital in Ushapada.
The southern Odisha district, having a strong tribal population, has experienced cholera/ diarrhoea outbreaks at least five times in the past two decades.
