An official said on Tuesday that seven people died of cholera and about 100 others were affected by the water-borne disease in Odisha’s Rayagada district’s Kashipur block.
Rayagada District Collector Swadha Dev Singh revealed this based on a report from the ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
Though we initially suspected diarrhoea, it was later discovered that people could have been infected with cholera as well. They collapsed because they did not receive proper medical attention in a timely manner, Singh told PTI over the phone.
She stated that the administration is now focusing on early identification of cases based on symptoms so that they can receive immediate medical attention.
According to official sources, the Vibrio cholerae bacteria was found in three of the nine samples of rectal swabs taken from patients in the district.
The Vibrio cholerae bacteria were discovered in the faeces of three patients from Dudukabahal village, one of the block’s several affected villages. The bacteria was also discovered in the villagers’ drinking water.
Dr Lalmohan Routray, Rayagada’s Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), also confirmed that the disease was spreading due to contaminated water.
Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health, stated that the government has taken several steps to halt the spread of cholera, including the establishment of two temporary medical camps in affected areas of the Kashipur block. The medical teams rushed in, and people went door to door to see if anyone had any symptoms.
Mishra stated that while seven people have died as a result of the waterborne disease, approximately 100 others have been infected.
Because of the increase in cholera cases in Rayagada, the district administrations of neighbouring Koraput and Kalahandi have been put on high alert and have been instructed to intervene immediately if anyone exhibits symptoms.
Many people were being treated at the Kashipur Community Health Centre, Tikiri Primary Health Centre, Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital, Aditya Birla Medical and Utkal Hospital in Ushapada. One patient is being treated at Koraput’s SLN Medical College & Hospital.
Following the confirmation of cholera, the people were being given tanker water, according to the Collector, who also stated that villagers were not to use water from rivers, canals, ponds, wells, or tube wells for drinking or other purposes until further orders were issued.
She also stated that the district administration has established a helpline 9437448747 for any public assistance.
This tribal-dominated district in southern Odisha has a history of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
On Tuesday, the issue was also raised in the State Assembly, with Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra demanding a statement from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
According to Mishra, poor tribal people in Rayagada district do not have access to proper food and rely on mango kernels and liquor, for which they die from diarrhoea and cholera.
Makaranda Muduli, MLA of Rayagada, has demanded a long-term solution to the vexing diarrhoea and cholera problem in Kashipur block, citing the fact that many poor people are becoming victims of the water-borne disease.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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