Rayagada: The Odisha government has launched a special vaccination drive in Kashipur village in Rayagada district due to a diphtheria outbreak which claimed five lives so far.
Children up to 1 year will be given pentadose and children between 5 to 15 years of age will be administered TD dose.
Dr Sanjukta Sahu, Director Family Welfare Department, informed, “Letter has been issued for booster immunization in Rayagada and the district will execute it with proper guidance of all stakeholders. Booster doses can be given to all. Pentadose will be given to those who have not taken it. TD dose will be given to those from 5 to 15 years.”
A special team of health officials and experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) visited Manuspadar village to take stock of the situation following the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
As per reports, diphtheria has claimed the lives of five in the state so far. 15 cases have been reported in Rayagada, 1 in Koraput and the remaining 4 to 5 cases in Kalahandi. The condition of the one case reported from Koraput is said to be critical. The overall situation in Rayagada district is said to be stable.
