The diphtheria outbreak in Kashipur, Rayagada district, continues to spread, with another child diagnosed with the infection on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to 15.
So far, the disease has resulted in the deaths of five children in Manuspadar village. While one death has been clinically confirmed as diphtheria, the other four cases are suspected. These suspicions arose because the bodies were cremated before samples could be tested.
Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, reported that 15 children and adolescents have been diagnosed with diphtheria. Four of these patients are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.
A special team of health officials and experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) visited Manuspadar village following directives from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to assess the situation.
“Teams of doctors, led by the chief district medical and public health officers of Kalahandi and Rayagada, have been dispatched to the village to investigate. Mobile health teams are conducting door-to-door surveys to identify any suspected cases. Additionally, a team from the health directorate is also examining the village to understand the reasons for the disease’s spread,” Dr. Mishra stated.
The health directorate’s visiting team is performing a thorough survey to find the outbreak’s cause. Preliminary findings suggest that malnourished children are particularly vulnerable. However, some health experts are questioning the vaccination status of the affected children.
“There is uncertainty regarding the vaccination status of three children who died from diphtheria. Their family members are unsure if the children had received all vaccine doses. Furthermore, we are investigating if proper cold chains for vaccines are being maintained during transport to remote areas like Manuspadar,” a health official noted.
In response to the outbreak, the Health Department has instructed local officials to visit nearby villages in the Kashipur block. They are tasked with collecting swab samples from children showing symptoms and sending these samples for laboratory testing.
