Odisha ranks second on dengue positive list 2nd October 2018 09:46 AM source The new Indian express

 BHUBANESWAR: Odisha has recorded the second highest dengue positive cases in the country this season. The latest data revealed that the State has recorded 4,501 cases till Saturday.As per the statistics released by National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Maharashtra topped the list with 4,667 cases, followed by Kerala with 3,660, Andhra Pradesh 3,314, Himachal Pradesh 3,303, Rajasthan 3,022 and Karnataka with 2,689 cases till September 30.

The number of dengue cases in Odisha has surpassed last year’s figure of 4,158 though five persons have succumbed to the disease against six last year. In fact, the positive cases rose by over 50 per cent between January and October. Last year, 2922 cases were reported during the period.

Sources said more than 80 per cent dengue positive cases have been reported from industrial and urban areas of the State. The vector-borne disease has raised its ugly head in all districts except Jharsuguda.
While Khurda district has reported the highest 1055 cases, 841 persons have tested positive in Jagatsinghpur district. Cuttack reported 700 cases, Kendrapara 225, Jajpur 224, Rayagada 202, Nayagarh 167, Bhadrak 158 and Kalahandi 154 cases.

In the State Capital, Chandrasekharpur emerged as the epicentre of the dengue onslaught. The disease has affected more than 600 persons, which is an all-time high in the City.Health officials, however, attributed the rise in dengue cases to migration and strong surveillance. Additional Director of NVBDCP-Odisha Dr Prameela Baral said migrated people who were working in dengue prevalent neighbouring States have contributed significantly.  

This apart, consistent drizzle resulting in rainwater accumulation has been providing conducive atmosphere for dengue virus to spread faster. The number of cases will reduce once the rain stops and winter starts,” she said.

More concerning is the fact that the growth rate of dengue is more this year in comparison to previous years. As many as 4,452 patients have been added to the dengue tally in the last four months with an average of 40 persons testing positive every day. While 2,450 cases were reported in 2015, 8,380 people tested positive in 2016.