Japanese encephalitis scare in Odisha Kanyashram; 5 students found positive

Balasore: Japanese encephalitis caused a panic among inmates at Purubai Kanyashram located at Soro in Balasore district after five students were found positive for the deadly mosquito-borne virus.

Samples of 29 students were examined following death of one student of the Kanyashram, of which the test reports of five came positive for Japanese encephalitis, informed Balasore DHH authorities.

All the infected students have been admitted to the Balasore DHH after their health condition worsened.

On the other hand, the public health director reached the Kanyashram and the hospital to monitor the situation.

According to reports, three inmates of Purubai Kanyashram fell ill on Thursday night last week. They were rushed to Soro Govt hospital for treatment. After their health conditions went critical, two of them were shifted to the Balasore DHH where one succumbed. The deceased student was from Nilagiri area in Balasore district.

Acting on the directive of Balasore Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde following death of an inmate, officials of district health, district food safety, child welfare committee and local administration along with a team of doctors reached the Kanyashram and examined the health condition of other inmates.

After 25 more inmates fell sick at the Gandhi Seva Sangha (GSS)-managed Purubai Kanyashram, they were taken to Soro hospital. Later, six of them were shifted to the Balasore DHH last night for treatment.