Dengue Scare: No Deaths In Odisha Yet; Positivity, Infection Rates Less This Year, Says Top Health Official

Bhubaneswar: Amid a dengue scare gripping Odisha’s capital, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra on Wednesday said there has been no deaths from dengue in the state yet.

Mishra said 27,759 samples have been tested so far, out of which 3,788 tested positive for dengue. Khurda district has the highest number of cases at 2,138.

Positivity and daily infection rates have decreased compared to last year, he added.

Recent media reports have highlighted the high number of dengue cases in Bhubaneswar.

According to a report, the number of dengue patients admitted in Capital Hospital is more than double its capacity. The hospital has only 15 beds for such patients.

Up to 30-40 people with dengue symptoms are visiting the hospital daily, the report said.

“In most cases, the infection is mild and patients are being discharged in three to four days of being admitted,” hospital director Laxmidhar Sahoo told TNIE.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange on Monday held a review meeting to take stock of the dengue situation in the capital.

A dengue awareness ‘rath’ will move around the city to spread awareness among people to keep their surroundings clean, wear full-sleeved or covered clothes and use mosquito spray regularly to protect themselves from dengue.

In a citizen-driven campaign, every Thursday and Sunday, ‘Dry Day’ is observed in the capital to beat dengue, during which massive awareness and sanitation drives are undertaken in all wards.

Malkangiri district is also reporting a rise in the number of dengue cases.