Binjharpur: Skin ailments have assumed endemic proportions in villages in this block in Jajpur district with over 2,000 people reportedly suffering from various such diseases.
This has happened as the area has been receiving continuous rainfall over the last 45 days. The area has received over 1200 mm of rain during this period and it has severely hit agriculture operations with farmlands remaining submerged in rainwater.
The waterlogged lanes and by-lanes have led to spread of skin diseases in villages. While the block chairman Nanda Kishore Samal is suffering from herpes, scores of villagers are suffering from other skin ailments.
Hospital sources said hundreds of patients suffering from skin ailments like scabies, blisters, boils and itching are daily visiting the hospitals in Binjharpur, Preetipur, Jari, Kantipur, Barapada, Haladidiha and Utangara for consultation and treatment.
This apart, diseases like herpes, dengue and malaria have also seen a rise with mosquito population increasing in the area. The residents are experiencing severe itching and blisters on their bodies which finally leads to fever and severe body ache.
A doctor, Sanjiv Kumar Mishra, claimed that the diseases are fast catching up in the area due to stagnation of rainwater and unclean environment. The water continues to stagnate due to lack of proper drainage system in the area, he said
Locals alleged that the diseases have affected almost every household while the health department is yet to take any strong measures in this regard.
The block administration is yet to rush any medical team to the villages except flinging bleaching powder in some affected area, the villagers claimed.
Dr Subrat Nayak, medical officer of Binjharpur Community Health Centre, said the diseases are mainly viral for which the health centre lacks any preventive measures. He however, said the diseases can be prevented if the surroundings in the villages remain clean.
PNN
