Bhubaneswar: With more than 60 fresh cases of Dengue detected in Odisha on an average daily for about a month now, the situation in the state is turning alarming and Bhubaneswar city has emerged as the hotspot for the infections. Of the 2,426 Dengue ceases detected in Odisha so far, Khurda district alone account for 1220 patients. In Bhubaneswar, which is part of Khurda district, 1164 Dengue cases were detected, including 300 last week, officials said.
Odisha Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra, however, claimed that the situation in the state was not any worse in comparison to other states and its position in respect of Dengue incidences will be 14th or 15th the place in the country.
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He said Dengue cases in Odisha went up this year as the state has extended surveillance and testing. So far 38,500 tests have been done as against 18,700 tests during the same period last year, he said.
There is nothing to panic over the situation, Mr Mishra said adding that despite the rising Dengue cases the complication rate is less than five per cent and the fatality rate is less than one percent.
Opposition parties have criticised Odisha government and accused it of failing to contain the spread of Dengue across the state, particularly in BMC area.
Mr Mishra said patients can be treated even at home. He said,
We have made provisions for Dengue sample collection and treatment at four community health centers in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area. If any patient develops complications, the person will be shifted to the hospital.
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Laxmidhar Sahoo, the director of state-run Capital Hospital said though there has been increase in number Dengue cases this time, the situation is well under control. He said,
We are testing around 500 samples daily and only 60-70 of them are showing positive results.
Mr Sahoo said that around 15 patients are being admitted to the hospital daily. At present 62 diagnosed with Dengue are undergoing treatment at the hospital, which is using folding beds to accomodate the patients.
Asked about special Dengue wards, Mr Sahoo said that the hospital authorities have made space in some of the rooms which remain closed. Besides, more testing facilities are being planned considering the rush.
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In order to reduce load on the Capital Hospital, patients are also being admitted to four upgraded public health centers in the peripheral area of BMC since Sunday (August 20). Testing facilities are also available there, he said,
Though we won’t be able to further increase the number of beds in Capital hospital, treatment can be provided in the 20 PHCs in Bhubaneswar.
BJP leader and spokesperson Dilip Mohanty claimed that over 20 Dengue-positive patients have died in various hospitals of the state and alleged that the Odisha government’s “callous attitude and inefficiency” have led to rise in cases of the disease in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. BJP alleged,
BMC and Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s local self-governance has been waylaid and the government failed to address the situation. The Odisha government is hiding the death numbers.
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BJP district president of Bhubaneswar, Babu Singh alleged that the BMC mayor and commissioner has not worked for improving drainage and sanitation in the city.
Asked, BMC Mayor, Sulochana Das said that the Dengue situation is of concern for everybody and sanitation drive has been intensified with other measures, she said. Urging all to undergo Dengue test if they have fever, she stressed on their need to be cautious and keep their surroundings clean and ensure that there is no accumulation of water.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
