Rourkela: With the cholera outbreak showing no signs of deteriorating in Rourkela in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and urged the State government to step up measures to curb the spread of the disease at the earliest.
Taking to micro-blogging platform X, Pradhan posted,”I am saddened to hear the news of people dying due to diarrhea in the past few days in and around Rourkela city. I pray for the departed soul and wish for the healing of the afflicted. May those undergoing treatment get well soon and return home. It is a matter of worry that in metropolitan areas like Rourkela, hundreds of people are affected by infections like diarrhea. The State government should immediately act on the sensitive issue and take necessary steps to provide better healthcare to the patients. In infected areas, people should be screened from house to house and awareness should be created.”
The Minister also urged the State government to collaborate with central agencies to prevent transmission and take immediate steps to provide essential aid and assistance to citizens in the area.
The outbreak, which was reported from December 11, has claimed 10 lives so far while at least 287 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
Sources said the intensity of the infection spread has been brought under control with efforts of the district administration and its health wing. However, while official data has claimed that the death toll is five, reports suggest the figure is at least 10 after an 8-year old girl succumbed in Bandhamunda on Tuesday.
In Rourkela and adjoining areas, nearly 580 people are afflicted with 429 of them from the smart city alone.
As per reports, 18 out of 39 water samples sent to lab for testing came out as infected with Vibrio Cholera bacteria.
On Wednesday, Odisha Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra and Health Secretary Shalini Pandit visited the steel city today to review the situation on ground.
Addressing mediapersons, Pandit said, “The situation has improved and cases are showing a downward curve. The number of critical patients has come down. A team from Sewage Treatment Plant and also SCB medical college and hospital will come for inspection and testing of food and water samples. Until the situation is brought under control, the primary health centre here will operate round the clock,” Pandit said.
