Bhubaneswar, April 28: The Odisha government’s health department has swung into action after getting reports of as many as seven deaths allegedly because of measles in the remote areas of Kashipur block in Rayagada district within a fortnight.

While senior district officials are camping at two villages in the area reportedly affected by the disease, a senior official of the immunisation directorate of Odisha’s health department has also rushed there.

Health minister Prasanna Acharya, however, said only three persons died of measles, while four others died of “non-measles complications’’.

Sources at the state disease surveillance cell said the deaths occurred between April 8 and April 27.

“A measles death was reported at Silapas village, while two others were reported from Kodipari village. At present, some seven children are suffering from measles at Silapas, while the number of measles victims at Kodipari is 27,’’ said a report submitted to the Odisha government by the chief district medical officer.

Kashipur had hit news headlines several times in the past because of healthcare-related issues. Diarrhoea epidemic had hit the village in 2007 and 2010.

Health officials also alleged that the villagers’ superstition was coming in the way of providing treatment to the measles victims.

“When the health officials reached the two affected villages, the local people did not cooperate in providing treatment to the victims as they believed that measles was caused by the curse of a local deity. We are finding it very difficult to convince them that the disease can be treated,’’ said a doctor on conditions of anonymity.