Rise in dengue cases in Odisha

The highest number of 435 dengue cases was reported from Balasore district bordering West Bengal, followed by 401 by Ganjam.

"A large number of people from Balasore visit Kolkata and Midnapore district in West Bengal regularly, while many from Ganjam district live in Surat in Gujarat. These people are suspected as carriers of the dengue virus to the state," Health and Family Welfare minister Damodar Rout told PTI.

Stating that both Balasore and Ganjam were not dengue prone districts, he said that his department has been successful in containing the death rate.

"While 32 people died of dengue last year, this time it is six due to the pro-active steps taken by the department," the minister said.

A medical student who died of the disease had been to Delhi where he got infected, said Dr Madan Patnaik, the deputy director in the health department.

"We have to find out the cause of dengue continuing to affect the population here after rainy season is over," the minister said.

Asked about seven families allegedly fleeing from a village in Bhadrak district due to fear of dengue, the minister said "I will find out."