It's cholera in Jajpur, death toll 11; two more districts report outbreak
Official sources said, of the 41 faecal samples sent to the laboratory for testing, eight tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera. So far, over 700 others have been taken ill across four blocks and one urban local body in the district.
The official death toll, however, is five. 'We are verifying the details of other deaths,' director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said.
Health officials have intensified surveillance, water quality monitoring, and awareness campaigns in the affected regions, including Dharmasala, Danagadi, Korei, and Rasulpur blocks and Vyasanagar municipality to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Two more districts - Bhadrak and Keonjhar - also came under the grip with several people from Bhandaripokhari and Anandpur blocks getting admitted in the hospitals following diarrhoea.
'We have received reports of people with diarrhoea in several places in Jajpur district, and small pockets in Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts. Health teams have been sent to affected areas to take stock of the situation. We are taking every possible measure to avoid further cases,' said Dr Mishra.
The state has been consistently reporting cases of cholera in last few decades, particularly affecting the lower socio-economic groups in districts like Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Sundargarh.
In 2023, at least 13 people died and over 1,000 were affected in Rourkela while eight persons died and 104 others were hospitalised in Rayagada district in 2022. Poor access to clean drinking water, lack of sanitation, and delayed medical attention were cited as major factors contributing to the severity of the outbreak.
On the day, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting attended by Health secretary Aswathy S and senior officials from the Health and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments.
The Health department has appealed to people to consume boiled or chlorinated water and avoid open defecation.
Ahuja directed the officials to conduct door-to-door visits and intensify awareness activities in the villages to prevent the spread of the disease and complete the disinfection work in 10 days. Affected districts have been asked to provide proper treatment facilities besides ensuring availability of drugs, saline and other essentials in hospitals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Four dead after cholera outbreak hits Chad refugee camp
N'Djamena: At least four people have died following a cholera outbreak in a refugee camp in eastern Chad, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Friday. A total of 42 suspected cases have been recorded in the Dougui refugee camp in the Ouara department of Ouaddai province, the statement said, adding that samples have been collected and sent to the capital, N'Djamena, for confirmatory testing. Authorities have called for vigilance and strict adherence to hygiene measures to slow the spread of the disease. Dougui refugee camp hosts approximately 20,000 Sudanese refugees, Xinhua news agency reported. In June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that cholera cases in Sudan are set to rise and could spread to neighbouring countries, including Chad, which hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan's civil war, in crowded conditions. According to the WHO, cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is a global public health threat and indicates inequality and a lack of social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases. Most people with cholera have mild or moderate diarrhoea and can be treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS). However, the disease can progress rapidly, so starting treatment quickly is vital to save lives. Patients with severe disease need intravenous fluids, ORS, and antibiotics. Countries need strong epidemiological and laboratory surveillance to swiftly detect and monitor outbreaks and guide responses. Cholera outbreaks occur regularly in some countries. In others, they are less frequent, and it may be years between outbreaks. Cholera is linked to limited access to safe water, basic sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices. This may be due to conflict, population displacement, climate events like cyclones, floods or drought, and lack of investment in maintaining and improving WASH services and infrastructure. The number of cholera cases reported to the WHO has continued to rise in recent years. In 2023, 535,321 cases and 4007 deaths were reported to the WHO from 45 countries. The discrepancy between these figures and the numbers estimated by researchers is likely due to limited surveillance systems and cases not being recorded out of fear of repercussions for trade and tourism.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
KGMU study offers new relief options for chronic heel pain
Lucknow: People suffering from persistent heel pain may soon have better relief options through regenerative medicine, shows a recent study by King George's Medical University. The study, 'Ultrasonography-guided dextrose prolotherapy versus platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis', was published in the journal Cureus in Feb. Researchers from KGMU's physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) department found two regenerative methods — dextrose prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Lead researcher Prof Sudhir Mishra said that chronic heel pain is due to damage to the thick tissue under the foot and often difficult to treat with conventional methods. This affects about 10% of people, especially women in 40-60 age group and athletes. Traditional treatments like rest, stretching, orthotics, corticosteroids and physical therapy often help, but many patients still experience pain. The study involved 44 patients unresponsive to standard treatments. They were split into two groups — one received ultrasound-guided 25% dextrose injections, the other PRP from their own blood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cat Keeps Hugging Friend Before Going To The Vet – The Vet Paled When He Saw Them Tips and Tricks Undo After six weeks, both groups reported less pain and improved foot and ankle function. PRP showed slightly better results, but differences were not always significant. Prof Mishra said these minimally invasive injections are well tolerated and can greatly improve the quality of life for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments. Although PRP is more costly and complex to prepare, both treatments are safe, effective and can be chosen based on patient needs. The study supports growing evidence for regenerative medicine in chronic musculoskeletal pain. Physical medicine and rehabilitation department head, Prof Anil Kumar Gupta, said treatment usually starts with rest, special insoles and sometimes steroid injections, which work well in early or mild cases. When traditional methods fail, regenerative therapies like dextrose prolotherapy and PRP are considered. Both stimulate tissue repair — dextrose needs multiple injections and lasts shorter, while PRP often requires a single injection and lasts longer. Prof Mishra said dextrose costs about Rs 500-700 per session, including ultrasound guidance, making it more affordable. PRP costs Rs 3,000-3,500 due to specialised processing but requires fewer sessions. PRP is especially effective for long-term pain lasting months or more. Using the patient's own blood lowers allergy risks and can work when other treatments fail. Choice depends on pain duration and severity. For pain lasting a week or two, traditional methods suffice. For pain over a month, dextrose prolotherapy may be advised. For pain lasting three months or more, especially if other treatments fail, PRP is preferred. Dextrose typically requires 2-3 injections spaced 15 days apart, while PRP usually needs one injection, with a second dose for severe cases. Both are effective, but PRP tends to offer better pain relief and longer recovery.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
125-kg man with advanced bone damage undergoes hip replacement surgery in Delhi
A 58-year-old man weighing 125 kilograms and battling severe right hip pain for over three years due to a condition known as Avascular Necrosis has successfully undergone a complex Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery. The patient had previously undergone core decompression surgery at a different city hospital in 2022.(Unsplash) The surgery, which lasted around 50 minutes, involved treating a patient with high body weight. The procedure was performed at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla Road, by a team led by Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra, director of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, according to a statement issued by the hospital. Diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis — a condition where bone tissue dies due to reduced blood supply — the patient had previously undergone core decompression surgery at a different city hospital in 2022. However, the relief was temporary. He continued to suffer from intense pain, limited mobility and growing dependence on painkillers, the statement said. "When he came to us, the pain had significantly impacted his mobility and quality of life. Diagnostic tests revealed an advanced stage of the disease. A total hip arthroplasty was deemed necessary," said Dr Mishra. The statement said the patient was allowed to bear full weight from the day after surgery and began walking soon after. His recovery showed promising signs, with his weight decreasing to 123.3 kg in the first week and further to 119.2 kg by the third week post-surgery, it added. Overweight patients — particularly those weighing over 100 kg — often hesitate to consider joint replacement. Even surgeons approach such cases with caution due to increased risks of infection, dislocation and surgical complications, Dr Mishra added. Facility director Dr Vikram Aggarwal said the case was especially challenging due to the patient's weight. They said that the patient was discharged in stable condition just four days after the procedure.
