The first dengue patient of the city was identified on Friday and the number of persons affected in the vector-borne disease in Ganjam district increased to two.
Earlier, Fakir Swain of Kujidhep village under Ganjam block was tested positive for dengue at the Khandadeuti Community Health Centre (CHC). On Friday, blood samples of Sachala Pradhan, a resident of the Gosaninuagaon area in the city, were tested dengue-positive, said District Malaria Officers Dr R Jagdish Patnaik.
According to information, Sachala had gone to Srikakulam for some work. After her return, she got a fever. When tested, her blood showed positive for dengue.
Meanwhile, on the advice of the Health Department, Ganjam district Collector Prem Chandra Choudhury and BeMC Commissioner Chakraborty Singh Rathore have risen to the occasion and engaged ASHA and Anganwadi Workers in creation of awareness for prevention of dengue in rural and urban areas.
It may be noted that 74 persons had been found dengue-positive in 2015 and the number rose to 329 in 2016. In 2017, 146 persons had been affected in the vector-borne disease in Ganjam, according to the District Malarial officer.