Odisha Health minister visits Potrel, takes stock of mystery disease outbreak

Odisha SunTimes Bureau
Malkangiri, Dec 21:

Odisha Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, accompanied by School and Mass Education minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Health Secretary Arati Ahuja and other officials, visited Potrel  village in Malkangiri district on Saturday to take stock of the situation following the death of several children on account of a mysterious disease.

The minister and the secretary discussed the matter with the villagers. The minister advised the district’s Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) to take all possible steps to control the disease. The mystery disease has claimed lives of at least 11 children in Potrel and adjoining villages in the last few days. The disease has  also been detected in nearby villages including Chimtapalli, Arabamnpalli burudi and Chinturwada of the district.

Nayak said blood samples collected from Potrel and adjoining villages have been sent to the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) laboratory at Bhubaneswar and another lab at Pune.

“The reason behind the deaths and disease will be known after reports are available from the labs. Our team is camping in the area to monitor the situation as well as provide immediate treatment to the affected,” the minister said.

Preliminary reports suggest that the disease could be viral encephalitis.

The minister and the Secretary were on a two day visit to the area and are back in the capital.