At least six people died and 71 others were hospitalized due to diarrhea after drinking contaminated water from open sources in several villages in Odisha’s Rayagada district, officials said on Saturday.
After the deaths were reported, the state government sought a report from health officials in three days, while the incident led to protests in the assembly, with the opposition Congress demanding a statement from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
In the last three days, there have been deaths in different villages of Kashipur block.
A team of 11 doctors visited the affected villages and collected water and blood samples and sent them for testing.
Officials said the water-borne disease was first reported in Maliguda village and later in Dudukabahal, Tikiri, Gobarighati, Raut Ghati and Jalkhura villages.
He said that many others in Dangsil, Renga, Hadiguda, Macanch, Sankarda and Kuchipdar villages are also suffering from diarrhea and are being treated at home.
Of the 71 people hospitalized after drinking water from open sources, 46 are being treated at Tikiri Public Health Center (PHC), 14 at Kashipur Community Health Center and 11 girls at an ashram school in Thatibar PHC.
One patient was shifted to SLN Medical College in Koraput after his condition deteriorated.
Rayagada District Collector Swadha Dev Singh along with CDMO Dr Lalmohan Routray visited the medical establishments and inquired about the health condition of the patients.
“While we are yet to confirm that the deaths were due to diarrhoea, we have started treatment for water-borne diseases as cases of diarrhea have been reported,” he said.
Singh said that the contaminated water sources are being disinfected to prevent further spread of the disease.
The CDMO said that water in an open well in Maliguda has been found to be contaminated and the officials concerned have been asked to make arrangements for alternate sources of water for the villagers.
The water sources of other villages will also be identified and treated, the official said.
Kashipur block has a history of water borne diseases. About 100 people died of diarrhea in 2008, while cholera also killed about 100 in 2010.
The issue was raised in the Assembly during Zero Hour, with Congress Legislature Party leader Narsingh Mishra demanding a statement from Patnaik.
He alleged that the deceased may also have diarrhea after eating wild fruits due to lack of food grains.
Mishra alleged that the BJD government has failed to provide PDS rice to the poor. People.
Congress whip Taraprasad Bahinipati claimed that many families have been denied food grains under the PDS as they have lost their ration cards.
BJP’s deputy leader in the assembly BC Sethi said, “The death of Kashipur shows the ‘achievement’ of the 22-year-old BJD government in the state. People have to eat mango kernels after not getting food grains.”
Congress MLAs reached the Well of the House demanding a decision from the Speaker to demand a statement from the Chief Minister.
Unable to run the Assembly, Speaker BK Arukha first adjourned the House for 10 minutes and later for 15 minutes.
The Congress agitation, however, came to an end when the Speaker asked the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to issue a statement in the House on Monday’s incident.
When there was a ruckus in the assembly over the issue, Health Minister NK Das sought a report from the concerned authorities within 72 hours or three days.
He asked the CDMO to immediately send a team of doctors to Kashipur to take care of the affected people.