A 16-year-old girl of Gallery in Bhanjnagar area, who was undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here since August 31, died yesterday, sources said.
"This was the first death of dengue in the district," Ganjam district collector Krishan Kumar said.
Kumar held a meeting with the officials of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation and health about anti-dengue measures. He directed BMC authorities to launch anti-dengue drive by involving anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, sweepers and volunteers to work to destroy the larva.
Since the highest number of dengue patients is from this town and its adjoining areas, the anti-dengue spray drive will be launched from here, an official said.
The collector asked BMC authorities to open a control room to monitor the situation.
Sixteen of 55 dengue cases detected in the district are from Berhampur, while four each have been reported from its adjoining areas including Rangeilunda and Kukudakhandi, official sources said.
Dengue has spread in 13 out of 22 blocks of the district, said additional district medical officer, L K Rath.
The Collector said there was no cause for panic as the district administration had taken several measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
