Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), June 28: Two more children from Narayapatna in Odisha’s Koraput district have tragically passed away due to suspected diphtheria. One of the deceased, a five-year-old from Bikrampur village in Narayanpatna block, died at a health facility in Narayanpur on Thursday. Another child succumbed to the illness at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur on Wednesday.
The Odisha Public Health Department has not yet confirmed the exact cause of death.
According to family members, the children initially experienced fever followed by swelling in their throats. Despite seeking medical attention, the doctors did not specify the disease. “It seems to be a new disease,” one relative told the media.
These recent deaths bring the toll to six children in the district. Last week, three children died in Gatiguda village.
Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Odisha’s Director of Public Health, stated on Friday that while information has been received about a death in Narayapatna, it is unclear whether it was due to diphtheria. “The child was brought to the hospital very late, so doctors were unable to save him. The exact cause, whether diphtheria or another reason, will be determined after test results are received,” he explained.
The state government has heightened surveillance and containment efforts in Koraput and neighboring districts, establishing camps and collecting samples for testing. Dr. Mishra noted, “Surveillance and isolation measures are in place. Two deaths were attributed to pneumonia, complicated by sickle cell disease.”
