Cholera claims 84 lives in Orissa, CM for early steps

BHUBANESWAR: As cholera claimed over 84 lives in southern Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday asked the officials to take immediate steps to contain the spread of the disease and ensure adequate medicine supply.

The Chief Minister, on his return from an on-the-spot-study in Kashipur block in Rayagada and Dasmantpur in Koraput, said the situation was under control and asked the officials to take immediate measures to prevent spread of the disease to fresh areas.

Vacancies of doctors and para-medical staff would be filled soon in these districts, he said adding 16 mobile dispensaries were operating in Dasmantpur block while 14 in service in Kashipur.

During his visit to the disease-affected areas, Patnaik, who was accompanied by Health Minister Duryodhana Majhi, asked the district authorities to disinfect all water sources within ten days and provide jobs to the local residents.

Some of the affected people at Kashipur were understood to have told Patnaik about the shortage of beds at hospital and inadequate supply of drinking water, sources said.

The Chief Minister also visited Talajhiri village under Kashipur block where every family was infected with the disease.

As many as 12 persons reportedly died of cholera at this village alone while the block recorded over 50 deaths due to the deadly disease, they said.