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Imran Khan in Bhubaneswar
With the flood situation in Orissa remaining grim, fear of diarrhoea has created panic in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack following reports of three deaths due to the water-borne disease.
The fear is such that people have started inquiring about it from the state revenue control room and other concerned departments. "Large number of people are asking about diarrhoea spread in the city," sources said.
Reports of diarrhoea cases are also reaching from the worst-hit flood districts like Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Kenderapara.
The control room in the health department has denied any such deaths, but an old lady reportedly died due to diarrhoea in a slum in Bhubaneswar.
However, sources in the government-run Capital Hospital, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Hospital and the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, confirmed that the fear of diarrhoea is not unfounded.
In the last two days, as many as 30 cases of diarrhoea have been reported at the BMH, and about 50 at the Cuttack hospital.
A senior doctor has said that there is a spurt in diarrhoea cases, which may assume alarming proportions if not controlled soon.
In view of the panic among the people, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has started combat operation in the city. "We are taking preventive measures in slum areas and low lying areas," BMC officials said.
The health department has already given 20,000 halogen tablets to the BMC and is likely to give more tablets on Wednesday.
ALSO SEE Orissa floods: Copters land for rescue operations Orissa sends SOS to Centre
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