Epidemic threat looms large

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 21. The flood waters have started receding in the affected districts of Orissa, but the threat of outbreak of epidemics is looming large. Reports of incidence of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis have already started pouring in from the flood- hit region.

Although reports were yet to be received from many affected pockets, a total of 1,740 cases of diarrhoea had been reported by Saturday, according to the State Government's Health Secretary, Ms. Meena Gupta.

Even though the affected region was extensive, the State Government had been able to send only 27 medical teams to the affected areas by Saturday afternoon. ``We will be sending more teams as more and more doctors report to us,'' Ms. Gupta said.

The areas from where more cases of gastroenteritis were being reported include Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara and Jajpur. These are the areas where flood waters have been there for over one week now.

On its part, the State Government is also sending drinking water pouches and halogen tablets, which are used for purifying drinking water, in the food packets that are being airdropped.

Medicines are also being dispatched to the affected districts along with the medical team. But as large areas are still surrounded by flood waters, medicines have not reached a large number of people.

More than 92 lakh halogen tablets have been sent to the affected region, Ms. Gupta said. Other medicines that are used to fight different types of fever are also being sent.

However, it is being apprehended that more cases of water-borne diseases will be reported in the coming days when flood waters will stagnate at low-lying areas.

Ms. Gupta also agrees that there will be an increase in the rate of incidence of water-borne diseases in the affected districts. ``The Government's efforts will be aimed at preventing deaths by providing timely treatment to the victims,'' she said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Relief eludes many flood victims
Next     : Differences over quota led to Mayawati move