Bhubaneswar: Rubella disease appears to be rearing its ugly head in Nabarangpur district with two children being tested positive.
Meanwhile, the district health department confirmed the outbreak of the disease. The district health officials collected samples from five affected persons on April 29, and two tested positive for rubella.
Talking to media Chief District Medical Officer In-charge Malaya Tripathy, said, “Five persons hailing from Padalguda village under Nandahandi block of the district experienced rubella symptoms. Their blood samples were collected, of which two were tested rubella positive. Pregnant women are more vulnerable than children. Chances of pregnant women giving birth to children suffering from heart diseases, cataracts and mental disorders cannot be ruled out if they are tested rubella positive.”
Tripathy further said, “ASHA workers are creating awareness in the affected areas. A team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a district medical team have visited Padalguda village to take stock of the situation. Besides, samples have been collected from people having rubella symptoms. As rubella is transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough, two children who were tested rubella positive have been isolated.”
“Two blocks in Nabarangpur have been affected where cases with fever with rashes have been detected,” said Health Director Bijay Mohapatra adding that though the Scrub typhus test had earlier come negative, health teams are on there to keep a close tab. The samples have been sent to ICMR for examination.”
