Six tested positive for Chikungunya in Ganjam

Berhampur (Odisha): Six persons have tested positive for chikungunya at Gudipadara village under Patrapur block in Odisha's Ganjam district.

"We had sent 10 blood samples from the suspected patients to the microbiology department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital", said Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Mrutunjay Mishra after getting the test reports.

Blood samples were drawn after 40 people of the village, located along Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border area, complained of joint pain.

Last year, one chikungunya positive case had been detected in the district, said district malaria officer, Uma Shankar Mishra.

He said there is no need to panic as the number of the affected persons is very small compared to the village population of 2,000.

The CDMO said a team of doctors rushed to the village on Tuesday. Suspecting chikungunya, they treated the patients. The team has advised people to destroy the mosquito-breeding places in the village. No new case has been reported, said the malaria officer. The team is sensitizing people about the causes of the disease in the area.

The main reason for spread of mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya, malaria, dengue and Japanese Ecncephalitis is stagnant water, in which mosquitoes breed, said the CDMO.

"The affected village is under our surveillance. Further measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the disease", he said.