The health administration of Baleswar district was on its toe after a report of spread of dengue came from several pockets of the district, mainly the north part on Sunday.
The fever while was experienced in alarming form in Baliapal block for over a week, death of a 13-year-old boy in the area was confirmed by the authorities. The deceased was identified as Susanta Barik, a student of class VIII of Betagadia village under Baliapal block.
Meanwhile, the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) while was flooded with dengue patients, it had become a tough task for the authorities to accommodate and treat them. Some were lying on ground for treatment due to scarcity of adequate beds. Around 25 patients, found in serious state, were referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. However, unofficial reports suggested that the number of the affected in Baliapal might be much higher as several people preferred treatment in private capacity.
Chief District Medical Officer Vivekananda Das said, “As of now, there are 35 dengue patients admitted to the DHH. last evening, six patients were admitted. Around seven blood samples of suspected cases were sent for test and the reports were awaited.”
“The DHH has an 11-bed capacity for dengue ward. Since the number of patients is more we have shifted patients to other isolation wards,” he informed.
The situation was acute in villages like Pratappur, Chaumukh, Dagara ,Jagatipur, besides Betagadia. Following report of outbreak of dengue in the area, a Health department team from Cuttack accompanied by local MP RK Jena and MlA Nityananda Sahu, after visiting the affected patches of the block, took stock of the situation.
They inquired about the situation from the locals as well as doctors posted in the locality.
“I along with a team paid a visit to the affected patches on Saturday and urged the people to take necessary precautions and the doctors not to neglect patients with any kind of fever. Also I apprised the Health Minister to send a team of doctors to the affected areas,” said MP Jena.
Dengue is not only reported from Baliapal; it is also reported from Bhograi, Remuna and Sadar. Unofficial reports suggested that three people so far in this season have died of dengue.