Dengue patients number increasing in Odisha, government assures action

Bhubaneswar, July 12 (IANS) The number of dengue-infected persons in Odisha is increasing day by day with the number of affected persons reaching almost 800, said the state government on Tuesday but assured steps to tackle the situation were underway.

Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said 797 blood samples have been tested positive in the state while 130 patients have been admitted to hospitals.

"The infected persons are undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the state. We are taking steps to control the situation," he said after holding a review meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Urban Development Minister Pushpendra Singhdeo along with top officials of both their departments.

Nayak said both the departments would work in close coordination to combat the dengue menace in the state, and a a special task force had been formed to monitor the situation.

It was also decided in the meeting that Health Department will provide logistics support while Urban Development Department will take up the sanitation drive on a war-footing at the urban pockets affected by dengue.

Singhdeo said a joint action plan has been prepared to carry out massive cleaning drive in the dengue-affected urban pockets.