While at least four persons have tested positive for chikungunya, one person was found suffering from dengue so far at Bichhanapalli village under Ganjam block, official sources said today.
"Blood samples sent to the microbiology department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital have tested positive for chikungunya and dengue," said additional district medical officer (public health) L K Rath.
Outbreak of chikungunya in Bichhanapalli was reported when a number of people complained of fever with joint pain. A team of doctors from Berhampur visited the village and collected blood samples for testing as the clinical symptoms of the patients pointed to mosquito-borne viral disease.
Rath, however, said there is no need to panic as no fresh case of fever has been reported from the village. A team of doctors, led by district malaria officer (DMO) U S Mishra along with paramedics visited the area two days ago to treat affected persons and sensitise people about the diseases.
The main reason for outbreak of chikungunya, malaria, dengue and Japanese Encephalitis is water stagnation, in which larve originates and spread infection, said a doctor. People should take steps to prevent water stagnation to prevent breeding of mosquitoes, he added.
The team also created awareness to destroy stagnant water and dry water-logging spots in the village, said the DMO. "The diseases are under control as health officials have taken several steps to prevent their spread," Mishra said.
While the district reported over 500 dengue cases in 2012 around 30 people mostly from Boxipalli, a predominantly fisherman village in the district suffered from chikungunya, Dengue had claimed at least two lives in the district, official sources said.