Malkangiri/Koraput: Nine persons including three in Koraput and six in Malkangiri have lost their lives in the last 10 days after falling ill due to unknown reasons. Health officials of both districts have collected samples of some patients and have started the treatment.
Reportedly, three persons of Khandikiguda village in Boipariguda block of Koraput have died of some unknown disease. According to villagers, the legs, hands, and faces of the patients were swollen. They became weak and bedridden and died within fifteen to twenty days.
While two people died last week, one died yesterday while on his way to SLN Medical College and Hospital, Koraput. A medical team from Ramgiri reached Khandikiguda and after much persuasion brought two patients to Ramgiri Hospital for treatment.
Lack of education and awareness has led to people relying on superstitions and quacks for treatment. A medical team will be reaching the village to find the root cause of the disease and to educate people.
Similarly, six persons have died in Haldikund and Bamanguda villages in Mathili block of Malkangiri district. First, their legs started swelling, then they fell ill and died.
However, Sashi Bhusan Mahapatra, In-Charge Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Malkangiri, said that the Medical Officer of Mathili CHC had visited the villages. He found that one has died of chronic kidney disease, a 7-year-old child has died of food poisoning, and three have died of chronic alcoholic cirrhosis, an alcohol-induced liver disease that happens after years of drinking too much alcohol.
A medicine specialist and a microbiologist have been sent to the villages. They will conduct surveillance to find the root cause of the deaths and collect water samples. A team from Mathili CHC has also visited the villages to collect blood samples.
