The dengue outbreak in the Barbil Municipality area in Keonjhar district is taking alarming proportions as the number of afflicted persons has risen to 49.
The disease is prevalent at Sriram Nagar and Upper Basti under the municipality where 49 persons have tested positive out of 253 blood samples collected recently.
A special medical team of four doctors from Bhubaneswar has reached the affected area to provide treatment to the patients. The team is also collecting blood samples from residents of various wards. The civic body has launched an awareness campaign about the disease too.
Meanwhile, district Collector Dr N Thirumala Naik and CDMO Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu visited the affected aread to take stock of the situation. Poor hygiene and sanitation in the area are attributed to the spread of dengue in the region.