Damodar Rout

Bhubaneswar, July 31: The state government today announced to launch a fortnight-long behaviour change communication campaign to create public awareness after 363 dengue positive cases were reported from across Odisha.

It said that from the next year onwards the campaign would start from June instead of August to make it more effective.

The campaign will start from tomorrow and is expected to help create public awareness on dengue, malaria and diarrhoea.

Health minister Damodar Rout said that as the dengue outbreak was related to urban development and sanitation, it would create awareness to prevent the disease by changing the people’s behaviour.

“We will involve school children and panchayati raj institution representatives, including the women members, to spread awareness on dengue, malaria and diarrhoea prevention,” Rout said.

The health and family welfare department has roped in other departments such as housing and urban development, industries, steel and mines, school and mass education, panchayati raj, forests and environment, fisheries, tourism and culture and women and child development for the campaign’s success.

The state first witnessed dengue in 2006, and till 2010, the cases were sporadic. In 2011, there were 1,846 cases with 33 deaths. However, in 2012, with intensified campaigns, apart from preventive and curative measures, 2,255 dengue positive cases were reported, but six died. “It was possible for better surveillance, and this year, we want to make it happen again,” Rout said.

“Researchers of the Bhubaneswar-based Regional Medical Research Centre have found four strains of dengue virus. In other parts of the state, a combination of two strains has made the viral effect more virulent,” Rout said.

Apart from Cuttack, Khurda has reported so far 90 cases, of which, 36 were positive. Angul with 81 cases has reported 22 dengue positive cases. Since 2011, Ganjam, Balasore, Angul and Dhenkanal were in the limelight for the dengue cases.

Among the medical colleges, SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has received 1,336 samples, of which, 310 were tested positive.

Ten of 81 samples tested at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur were reported positive. Capital Hospital tested 100 samples with 41 positive cases so far.