Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), May 8: Rubella has resurfaced in Nabarangpur district, with two children testing positive for the disease.
The district health department has confirmed the outbreak, having collected samples from five affected individuals on April 29, two of whom tested positive for rubella.
Chief District Medical Officer In-charge Malaya Tripathy emphasized the vulnerability of pregnant women, stating that five individuals from Padalguda village in the Nandahandi block experienced rubella symptoms. Tripathy cautioned that pregnant women testing positive for rubella are at risk of giving birth to children with heart diseases, cataracts, and mental disorders.
ASHA workers are actively raising awareness in affected areas, with support from teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the district medical team, who visited Padalguda village to assess the situation. As rubella spreads through airborne droplets, two infected children have been isolated to prevent further transmission.
Health Director Bijay Mohapatra highlighted two affected blocks in Nabarangpur where cases of fever with rashes have been detected. Although initial tests for Scrub typhus came back negative, health teams remain vigilant. Samples have been sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for further examination.
