A 22-year-old youth died of dengue at Gopitra village under Bari block in Jajpur district on Saturday, while at least 20 persons, including five women, are now undergoing treatment in the district here. The deceased was identified as Bapi Behera.
Contaminated water coupled with acute shortage of drinking water has led to the outbreak of the disease on epidemic proportions in the ongoing rainy season, said sources.
Bari CHC medical officer Dr Himanshu Sekhar Nath said while one person was killed due to the disease, at least 10 patients were now undergoing treatment in the hospital. “A team of doctors visited the dengue -affected villages and collected stool and blood samples for further test,” he informed.
The disease is spreading its tentacles with mosquitoes finding the villages their most suitable breeding ground. The unprecedented scarcity of drinking water compounded the problem forcing the rural people to consume contaminated water from unsafe sources.
Besides, no preventive measure was taken earlier to tackle the mosquito menace. Major water sources were not disinfected either, alleged sources, adding that the number of affected persons might swell in coming days if the authorities do not take preventive measures soon.