Bhubaneswar: The diarrhoea epidemic in Rourkela that claimed at least six lives has come under control with reports of less number patients having mild symptoms.
A State team led by Health Secretary Shalini Pandit visited various hospitals and places in Rourkela and reviewed the situation.
The team discussed with all the stakeholders and held meeting with the authorities of all private medicals, Rourkela government hospital, IGH, Medical College in Sundergarh, Hi-tech medical college in the presence of senior health officials.
“The situation has been stable since yesterday as cases are not rising. The new patients who are coming to the hospital complain of mild symptoms as water and food inspection has been stepped up. We expect that the situation will come under control within next two to three days,” Pandit said.
Usually, diarrhoea is caused by food and water contamination, but here, cases have come from different areas. So, epidemiology and microbiology study of the cases is being conducted. The community medicine department at Sundergarh Medical College has started the analysis, she added.
A team from SCB, Cuttack and RMRC, Bhubaneswar will also join the study to find out the sources of the outbreak. They will also suggest remedial measures to prevent the spread of the disease further, Pandit told reporters.
She also informed10 PHCs in the city will function 24*7 from today onwards.
“We have provided adequate doctors, paramedics and drugs including antibiotics and oxygen. The government has declared that BSKY or CMRF will bear the treatment cost of patients who are admitted to private hospitals,” she informed.
As per government reports, six people died and over 100 have been admitted to different hospitals in Rourkela and Sundergarh.