Balasore, Sept. 20: The district health administration has started a series of curative and preventive measures following the detection of dengue cases at Bhograi block here. Eighteen out of 22 blood samples sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack tested positive for dengue.

“Both curative as well as preventive measures are being taken. Since the affected villages are located on the border, migrants may have been the carrier of the virus,” said Balasore district collector Ranjit Mohanty.

Earlier, three dengue, including two from Chandaneswar, were reported. More samples were sent from Nimatpur village to Cuttack for tests. With the latest confirmation of 18 cases, the number of dengue cases has reached 21.

A two-member medical team from the state health department visited the affected villages yesterday. They collected 55 more samples.

“The situation is not alarming. The patients detected with the dengue virus are recovering,” said chief district medical officer Benumadhav Satpathy.