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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Odisha moves back into malaria territory again
Health workers deployed in these districts said the insecticide effect in LLINs lasts up to three years or 20 washes, and the nets distributed before 2019 were to be replaced by 2022. 'Though more than three years have passed, new nets are yet to be provided in many villages. The old nets are either damaged or lost their insecticide effect which has fuelled the cases,' they added. Health officials also admitted that 1.56 crore LLINs which were supposed to be provided by the Ministry of Health by 2022 have not arrived yet despite repeated reminders by the state health minister and secretary. 'The net dispatch was initially delayed due to late finalisation of tenders by the ministry. Although last year they had assured to supply the required quantity of nets as per the indent, the consignment did not reach us. This year again, we have been assured to get 1.56 crore of LLINs, but it will take at least three to four months time,' said an official. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said the state government had procured 56 lakh nets last year due to delay in central supply. 'The nets were distributed in 10 districts in November and December. The malaria cases have come down in some of the districts where the net use has been maximum. We have asked the field officials to make door-to-door visits and convince the people to use the nets. Three lakh more nets will be procured and distributed in hostels soon,' he said.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt intensifies control measures, as state reports over 650 dengue cases
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The state has reported over 650 dengue cases, including more than 200 cases in Bhubaneswar, since Jan 1, prompting the govt to intensify both active and passive surveillance efforts to curb the spread of the vector-borne disease, officials said. Dr Nilakantha Mishra, director of public health, said Malkangiri and Cuttack followed Bhubaneswar with 60 and 50 cases, respectively. Mishra said that out of 50,000 dengue tests conducted this year, over 650 returned positive. "This year, we observed a decrease in dengue cases compared to last year's 1,080 recorded till July last week," he said. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) is actively analysing the situation across various areas to implement necessary control measures. With the capital city recording the highest number of dengue cases, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and health teams have ramped up efforts to control the situation. Official sources said Patia, Sikharchandi and Prasanti Vihar are the primary areas reporting new cases. In response, BMC is working to eliminate breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, the carrier of dengue virus. Health teams are also engaging in community outreach to educate residents about dengue prevention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo They are urging people to avoid storing water in and around their homes, as stagnant water serves as mosquito breeding ground. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to mitigate the impact of dengue and protect public health. "As the state continues to battle the seasonal surge in dengue cases, authorities remain vigilant, employing a combination of surveillance, community engagement and mosquito control measures to safeguard citizens," said the officer. Last year, dengue cases were reported in Balasore, Khurda and Sundargarh districts. Therefore, the govt has taken steps for extensive public awareness, diagnosis and treatment for the prevention and control of malaria and dengue cases. Emphasis was also placed on creating widespread public awareness through information, education and communication measures to prevent the diseases.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Disinfection drive from today to check disease spread
Bhubaneswar: With over 190 active diarrhoea cases under treatment and strict vigilance on the rising dengue and malaria situation, the state govt on Thursday announced a special disinfection drive to curb the spread of water-borne and vector-borne diseases. The drive, a joint effort of the health and family welfare department and the panchayati raj and drinking water department, will be carried out in two phases on July 4 and July 11. A detailed action plan was finalised at a high-level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Aswathy S. "During the campaign, super chlorination of drinking water sources, and proper cleaning and disinfection of health facilities, educational institutions, marketplaces, and other public places will be undertaken," said the health and family welfare department in an official statement. Village and household-level awareness campaigns will be conducted through ASHA and ANM workers. They will demonstrate the use of halazone tablets, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), handwashing, and other hygienic practices. Food safety officers have been directed to intensify inspections of bottling plants, eateries, and hotels, ensure strict adherence to food safety standard operating procedures, and take immediate corrective action, including financial penalties if required. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Em 2025 o preço deste alarme está a conquistar milhares de portugueses Securitas Direct Alarme Solicite orçamento Undo Chief district medical and public health officers (CDMPHOs) have been asked to tour affected areas during the drive days to ensure on-ground action. They will deploy the state's 377 rapid response teams to affected pockets for immediate intervention and monitoring, an official from the health department said. The health department has also asked CDMPHOs to maintain adequate stock of anti-venom for snake bites in govt hospitals and ensure the placement of MBBS doctors, especially in flood-prone areas. Emphasis has been laid on intensifying laboratory surveillance, increasing the collection and testing of samples, and strict adherence to daily, weekly, and quarterly monitoring protocols. Senior officers and state-level teams will visit affected areas for close monitoring and supervision of field-level activities. "Strict vigilance is being kept on the dengue and malaria situation," said Nilakantha Mishra, the state's director of public health.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health team sent to flood-hit blocks in Balasore
1 2 Bhubaneswar: In view of flooding in low-lying areas of Balasore district, the govt on Tuesday sent a health team to take stock of the situation. "The team will visit Basta and Baliapal blocks and nearby areas," said director of public health Nilakantha Mishra here on Tuesday. Mishra said bleaching powder, halogen tablets and anti-snake venom serums have been supplied to flood-prone districts. "If needed, more health teams will be sent to Balasore and other districts. We are keeping an eye on the flood situation in Balasore and adjoining Mayurbhanj district," he added. He said they have already directed officials to prepare for possible flood in some parts of the state. "They will map the places where floodwater enters. Officials will ensure an adequate stock of drugs. A control room will be opened in the flood-affected areas. Rapid response teams will be on alert to address health-related issues," he added. "We have not received information about any water-borne disease in flood-affected areas so far. We are in constant touch with chief district medical and public health officers of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. We are keeping a strict vigil on the situation," said Mishra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He said essential medicines are stored in hospitals for immediate use. "The diarrhoea and cholera situation in six districts, including Jajpur, has improved a lot. We are also conducting a diarrhoea awareness drive across the state, including in flood-prone areas," he added. "There is a possibility that floodwater mixed with sewage may enter many homes in low-lying flood-affected areas. After the water recedes, people may suffer from different water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery and other gastrointestinal problems due to water contamination," said a senior health official. Snakebites are also reported from flooded areas. "People also get typhoid, hepatitis and other bacterial infections due to contamination of water sources. People can boil water and drink it to prevent such diseases. They should keep watch on movement of snakes near their houses," he added. The health department is also keeping an eye on spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Gastro spreads to five more districts, minister visits Jajpur
BHUBANESWAR/JAJPUR: With fresh cluster outbreaks reported from five more districts, the diarrhoea and cholera situation in Odisha continued to remain grim for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday. In addition to the severely-affected Jajpur district where 11 samples have tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, hundreds of cases have been reported from Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bargarh, Puri, Dhenkanal and Kendrapara. Contaminated food and water are suspected to be the primary cause behind the spike in infections, prompting urgent field visits and high-level reviews by both state and central health authorities. While 15 persons have died so far and over 2,000 affected in the clusters, the state government confirmed the death of five persons and 1,771 hospitalisations due to diarrhoea. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said, of them, 1,508 patients have been discharged after recovery, while 258 are currently undergoing treatment. 'Five diarrhoea-related deaths have been confirmed through clinical investigations, and inquiries are ongoing into five other suspected fatalities,' he said. A 14-member central team, divided into two groups, visited the worst-hit Jajpur district while Health minister Mukesh Mahaling undertook a field inspection of affected areas in Anandpur sub-division of Keonjhar, and Badachana, Dharmasala and Jajpur Road in Jajpur district.
