The dengue menace of August 2011 still in their mind, people of the Angul-Talcher-Meramundali industrial belt have become panicky now after detection of three dengue patients from this area.
Ganeswar Rout and Susanta Dehury of village Turanga, who are working in Bhushan Steel, are detected with dengue virus. Besides, Narendra Bhutia of village Pingua, who is working in MCl, has laso tested dengue positive.
Despite the claims of the Government about its efforts to provide health service at the doorsteps of the people, large areas of the industries and mines-dominated Angul-Dhenkanal region are wallowing in squalour inviting breeding of the dengue virus carrier mosquito, the deadly Aedes.
Following the detection of the dengue cases, hundreds of patients suffering from fever are rushing to various hospitals to get checked whether they are dengue-free.
Discarded tyres of trucks and heavy vehicles used for transportation of coal and aluminium, iron ore and other industrial products, industrial wastes and water are the breeding places of dengue mosquito.
Officials of the Health Department and a medical team are camping in the affected area and monitoring the health service.