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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...a-deaths-stalk-Jajpur/articleshow/5062997.cms
Malaria deaths stalk Jajpur
TNN 27 September 2009, 10:20pm IST
BALASORE: After diarrhoea, malaria has spread in tribal-dominated areas of Jajpur district. Panic gripped Danagadi area, following the death of two people within a period of three days. Locals said more than 50 others were now down with malarial fever.
The victims have been identified as Butu Ojha (38) and his daughter Pagli Ojha (5) of Tomka area. Malaria has also been reported from Kiajhar, Deu-Lakan, Osthapal, Salijanga, Chitri, Gobardhanpur, Nachhipura, Bangarkota and Uchabali panchayats.
"At least 20 people from our village are under medication. They were first affected by malaria, and that was followed by brain fever. Doctors say their condition is improving and they will be discharged soon," Lokesh Singh of Salijanga said.
Locals alleged that the condition of the patients worsened due to lack of proper treatment and failure of health officials to diagnose the disease initially.
"The doctors initially treated them for viral fever. But when their blood samples was sent for test, they were tested positive for malaria. Shortage of medicine and rise of mosquito menace in the area have also compounded the crisis," another villager said.
Local healthcare authorities, however, said the rise of mosquitoes in the locality was reason behind the outbreak of malaria in the area. Several poor people, mostly daily labourers living in villages near the forest, don't use mosquito nets and easily fall prey.
A medical team has, meanwhile, been sent to the affected villages to take a stock of the situation. "Health workers, including aganwadi workers, have provided chloroquine tablets to the villagers. Moreover all possible measures have been taken to check the disease in the locality," said an official.
Malaria deaths stalk Jajpur
TNN 27 September 2009, 10:20pm IST
BALASORE: After diarrhoea, malaria has spread in tribal-dominated areas of Jajpur district. Panic gripped Danagadi area, following the death of two people within a period of three days. Locals said more than 50 others were now down with malarial fever.
The victims have been identified as Butu Ojha (38) and his daughter Pagli Ojha (5) of Tomka area. Malaria has also been reported from Kiajhar, Deu-Lakan, Osthapal, Salijanga, Chitri, Gobardhanpur, Nachhipura, Bangarkota and Uchabali panchayats.
"At least 20 people from our village are under medication. They were first affected by malaria, and that was followed by brain fever. Doctors say their condition is improving and they will be discharged soon," Lokesh Singh of Salijanga said.
Locals alleged that the condition of the patients worsened due to lack of proper treatment and failure of health officials to diagnose the disease initially.
"The doctors initially treated them for viral fever. But when their blood samples was sent for test, they were tested positive for malaria. Shortage of medicine and rise of mosquito menace in the area have also compounded the crisis," another villager said.
Local healthcare authorities, however, said the rise of mosquitoes in the locality was reason behind the outbreak of malaria in the area. Several poor people, mostly daily labourers living in villages near the forest, don't use mosquito nets and easily fall prey.
A medical team has, meanwhile, been sent to the affected villages to take a stock of the situation. "Health workers, including aganwadi workers, have provided chloroquine tablets to the villagers. Moreover all possible measures have been taken to check the disease in the locality," said an official.
