Post News Network
Puri, April 7: People of Danda village under Sadar block here are spending sleepless nights because of poisonous red ants that have been biting people.
A health team headed by ADMO (public health) Amarendra Mohanty reached the affected village and discussed the issue with the villagers.
Residents of Danda said they have been facing the ant menace for the last one year. The ants, which can be seen on trees and in open spaces of the village, would come out in the afternoon and bite human beings, they said.
“It is difficult to go out in the afternoon because of the presence of poisonous ants. They are also entering houses. They can be found on clothes and in food. The situation has come to such a pass that you cannot sit in a room for a couple of minutes,” said Ramesh Sethy of the village.
Some people said the red ants first appeared in the village after the cyclone Phailin hit Orissa in 2013.
Mohanty advised the people to keep the environment clean and bank on home treatment if ants bite anyone. “We have discussed the issue with the villagers and will submit a report,” he said.
Villagers said about 100 people in 10 villages in the district have so far been affected by the ant menace.