Odisha says well prepared to tackle dengue menace

The Odisha government on Wednesday said it was well prepared, and there was no panic-like situation yet, following the first dengue related death of the year in the state.

Hemanta Jena (32), who was living in Dwarka area of Delhi where he got infected with the disease, was initially admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and was referred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack after his condition became critical on Monday. He died on Tuesday, said a health official.

"There is no panicky situation in Odisha even though one person died due to dengue. We have made available separate wards and arranged laboratories in district hospitals and medical colleges for blood tests this year," health secretary Arti Ahuja told reporters.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday held a review meeting over the dengue situation.

Ahuja said the government would provide free diagnosis and treatment to suspected dengue patients.

She said about 400 people have tested positive for dengue virus in Odisha.

Sources said cases have been detected in Balasore, Cuttack, Jagantsinghpur, Jajpur, Khurda, Kendrapara, Angul, Balangir and Dhenkanal.