Sundaragada: A 63-year-old man from Ujjwalpur village under Tangarpali block in Sundaragada district allegedly died of scrub typhus Friday, triggering concern among residents. However, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Suresh Chandra Mohanty denied the claim.
The deceased’s family members and local residents claimed the death was due to scrub typhus. Mohanty said officials had checked records at the district headquarters hospital and the government medical college and hospital but found no death attributed to scrub typhus.
He said a Health department team would visit Ujjwalpur village Sunday to investigate the matter. According to local residents, Harihar Patta, 63, was allegedly bitten by a poisonous insect while working in his agricultural fi eld a few days ago. He fell ill after returning home.
His family initially took him to the Sargipali health centre and later shifted him to the district headquarters hospital as his condition deteriorated. He was subsequently transferred to a private hospital for further treatment, where he died Friday afternoon, family members said. While the family and locals suspect scrub typhus caused his death, health authorities have yet to confirm the infection.