Diphtheria Outbreak Claims Lives of Ten Children in Odisha's Tribal Areas

In the past two weeks, at least ten children are reported to have died from diphtheria in the tribal areas of Odisha's Koraput and Rayagada districts.

Two of the ten deaths from these districts have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Few cases have been documented at the nearby hospitals and health centers, despite the fact that many children have been afflicted with anthrax, pneumonia, diphtheria, and other unidentified illnesses, according to reports.

The Odisha government insisted, however, that diphtheria was the cause of only six deaths. Six cases of diphtheria-related deaths have been formally confirmed thus far. We now know that two more children have passed away. The inquiry is now underway. Pneumonia could be the reason of the recent cases. Public health director Nilakantha Mishra told The Telegraph on Friday, "Let me discuss the matter with the chief district medical officers (CDMOs).

According to Mishra, the announcement of deaths came about as a result of confirmation from the Regional Medical Research Centre based on analysis of samples provided to them by chief district medical officers. We have started isolation and surveillance with the assistance of the local government to stop the spread of sickness. According to Mishra, the medical teams are doing their duties.

The mucous membranes of the throat and nose are impacted by the bacterial illness diphtheria. It can occasionally result in death and cause issues with breathing and cardiac rhythm. The doctor listed fever, nasal discharge, and an enlarged gland in the neck that causes breathing to become labored or quick.

The state administration is vaccinating every child in Rayagada and Koraput with a booster dose of the diphtheria vaccine in an effort to stop the disease's spread. Additionally, we are administering preventative antibiotic doses to all vulnerable individuals in these regions. Screening and treatment have begun door-to-door, according to officials.

Reports of an outbreak of jaundice have originated from western Odisha, specifically Sambalpur, while a diphtheria outbreak has been documented in the southern districts of Koraput and Rayagada.

"We are taking action to stop the jaundice from spreading to other areas of the district of Sambalpur. It spreads by way of food and drink. There has been an awareness campaign started in the area, according to officials.