Joda: Dengue is spreading its tentacles in mineral rich Joda block of Keonjhar district with the death of a person and scores being hospitalised owing to the vector-borne disease, sources from a private hospital said. Sources said, an affected person from the block died August 27 and over 70 persons are undergoing treatment for the disease. Currently, over 20 persons from Jurudi area under the block are undergoing treatment for the disease.
However, no information is available on the exact number of affected patients or the number of deceased from the government hospitals in the area. This has raised question marks on the functioning of the Health department. The disease is reportedly spiraling due to mutation of dengue virus, a health official said.
Sources said that two months back, nine persons were diagnosed with dengue in Jurudi area of Joda block. After reports surfaced, a medical team from Basudevpur community health centre (CHC) visited Jurudi for two days and examined the affected persons. However, no steps were taken by the Health department causing the disease to again spread its tentacles in the area. Recently, a woman health worker posted at Jurudi sub health centre was diagnosed with dengue while another woman once again caught dengue fever due to lack of proper treatment.
According to reports available from the local panchayat, more than 17 persons have been admitted to the Keonjhar headquarters hospital and undergoing treatment after their blood samples tested positive for dengue.
Similarly, over 55 persons have been admitted to a private hospital in Joda and undergoing treatment for dengue from July 22. The disease is spiraling in Joda town and various rural pockets of the block during last two months. According to a private estimate, the number of affected persons is over 70 while one person has died of the disease. A medical team from Basudevpur community health centre (CHC) visited the house of the deceased and conducted a probe after reports appeared in various media. The medical again visited and took stock of the deceased’s residence, Tuesday.
However, the medical team only visiting the house of the deceased and not visiting rest of the houses in the area sparked resentment among the residents. When contacted, medical officer Dr LK Singh of Basudevpur community health centre (CHC) said two persons from Jurudi area have been afflicted with dengue and undergoing treatment at the Keonjhar headquarters hospital.
