Student dies of diptheria in Malkangiri, medical team from Bhubaneswar collects swabs of other students

Due to fears that diphtheria was spreading further following the death of a student, a special medical team from the Health and Family Welfare Department visited Malkangiri on Monday and collected throat swabs from other students.

The samples were collected by students of Chitrangapalli and Tangaguda Sevashramas and sent for laboratory tests.

The move came after several students of Chitrangpalli Upper Primary School and Tangaguda Residential School showed symptoms of diphtheria. Blood samples were sent for testing and precautionary measures were taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

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The affected students were admitted to the Kalimela CHC and are receiving appropriate medication there.

“Some students of Chitrangpalli Residential School showed symptoms of diphtheria. Our surveillance continues and we have collected throat samples from the students. Two of them tested positive for diphtheria,” informed Tapas Kumar Patra, a member of the state medical team.

“We admitted some students who had symptoms to Kalimela CHC. There are currently 10 students under observation. One of them was referred to Koraput as his condition deteriorated. His condition is normal after treatment and he will hopefully recover soon. So far the infection has hardly spread. Our effort is to contain the spread of the infection and provide the best possible treatment to the students,” he added.

When contacted, Krishan Prasad Mandal, principal of Chitrangpalli Residential School, said, “A student has tested positive for diphtheria and has been referred to Koraput Medical College and Hospital. Two other students were released after their recovery. A government medical team is here to check the health of other students and collect blood samples for laboratory tests. They also prescribed necessary medications.”