https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Diphtheria Defense: Kandhmal District’s Battle Against the Diphtheria Outbreak in Odisha

Kandhmal District effectively contained a Diphtheria outbreak in Odisha through swift action, rigorous surveillance, and community-wide awareness and isolation efforts.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe, no countries were adequately prepared to combat its impact. With its airborne and highly contagious nature, Covid-19 spread swiftly and affected millions in densely populated countries like India. The widespread devastation caused countless deaths and significant economic losses, leaving indelible lessons on how to manage not only common diseases but also future epidemics.

Recently, as Diphtheria began spreading rapidly across several districts in Odisha, the administration of Kandhmal district took swift action to contain its spread before it could worsen. Thanks to these proactive measures, there have been no reported cases of the disease in Kandhmal so far. Strict surveillance, meticulous tracking of travel history, and adherence to isolation protocols are among the key steps taken by the administration that have helped in addressing this threat effectively.

Indian Masterminds interviewed Ashish Ishwar Patil, the Collector of Kandhmal and a 2017 batch IAS officer, to learn about the steps being taken to combat Diphtheria.

2017 batch IAS officer Ashish Ishwar Patil, the Collector of Kandhmal

DIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Common symptoms include fever, throat pain, and redness of the throat and/or tonsils. It spreads easily through airborne droplets and has an incubation period of 2 to 5 days (with a range of 1 to 10 days). After a gap of 20 years, Diphtheria has reappeared in Odisha.

Mr Patil said, “Diphtheria is transmitted most often from person to-person through droplets or direct contact with respiratory secretion.”

THE OUTBREAK IN THE NEIGHBORING

The outbreak began on June 4 in a village in the Kashipur block of Rayagada, which borders Kandhamal district. Kashipur block shares its boundary with Kotagarh block in Kandhmal district. So far, 16 people in Rayagada have been infected, ranging from children to the elderly, with 5 fatalities reported. In addition, 19 cases have been recorded in Koraput, resulting in 2 deaths, and 7 cases in Kalahandi.

Despite the severity in neighboring districts, Kandhmal has managed to prevent any cases so far due to timely and stringent measures. Two suspected cases were identified with symptoms such as sore throat and moderate fever, but both tested negative for the infection.

THE PREVENTION

The affected blocks in these districts border three blocks of Kandhamal, encompassing approximately 12 panchayats where there is a potential risk of the disease spreading. Then, surveillance has been initiated in these areas, involving active search and isolation protocols. Anyone displaying symptoms is promptly tested and isolated to prevent further transmission.

Collector Patil instructed health officials to conduct a thorough surveillance drive in border villages to prevent the spread of the disease and identify affected individuals. Health workers, including ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) and ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), have undertaken an extensive drive in the Daringibadi, Kotagarh, and Tumudibandh blocks of the district to identify children displaying symptoms of diphtheria.

Mr Patil said, “Awareness and surveillance were the cornerstones of our strategy in combating this disease.”

MEASURES

To prevent the spread of the disease, the administration first initiated surveillance in the bordering districts’ areas. They also launched awareness programs to educate the community. Additionally, three WHO field monitors were deployed to monitor the situation closely in these affected areas.

Surveillance: A door-to-door surveillance initiative has been launched in areas of neighboring districts as well as the bordering state of Andhra Pradesh. Health workers are actively conducting case searches and raising awareness about Diphtheria at the community level.

Travel History: People arriving from affected areas in neighboring districts are isolated for 10 days after their travel history is verified. As a precautionary measure, 16 individuals have been isolated so far. Despite the seemingly low number, this is due to the stringent surveillance in place in the hilly area, as explained by a health officer.

Awareness Program:  All frontline workers, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and ANMs, have been mobilized for the Diphtheria awareness program. They are conducting awareness campaigns in various locations, educating the public about Diphtheria, its symptoms, and its incubation period. They are also disseminating information on how to isolate patients exhibiting symptoms for 10 days while implementing necessary containment measures.

Schools:Children are highly susceptible to Diphtheria, making schools crucial focal points in preventing its spread. Schools have been equipped with masks and sanitizers, and they are under regular monitoring by CHC (Community Health Center), PHC (Primary Health Center), and the Chief Medical Officer. Additionally, personnel regularly visit schools to educate students and staff about health protocols to mitigate the risk of infection.

ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and ANMs submit their reports to the Block Public Health Officer. These reports are then forwarded to senior officials for further action and planning based on the information provided.

He said, “If five cases are reported in one location, it is presumed to be a symptomatic outbreak, prompting isolation of the entire area. Additionally, any death in the area is regarded as part of the outbreak response.”

THE OTHER MEASURES

In addition to these measures, the administration is also focusing on vaccination efforts. The vaccination regimen includes administering 3 doses per year to children aged 1 year to 18 years. The neighboring districts affected by the disease are characterized by remote and inaccessible areas, which experts believe may have hindered proper vaccination coverage in those areas.

He said, “We are fully prepared to handle any cases. Our well-trained staff is proficient in SOPs for tracking, surveillance, and containment. Their experience ensures efficient response efforts.” 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
HPCL_logo_HIndustan Petroleum
HPCL Signs MoU with IIM Jammu to Foster Academic and Leadership Collaboration
Indian_Army_
Boosting Battlefield Logistics: Indian Army Signs Rs 223 Crore Deal for Next-Gen Tank Transporter Trailers
Matri Van
Green Vision for NCR: Bhupender Yadav and Manohar Lal Inaugurate Theme-Based Urban Forest ‘Matri Van’ in Aravallis
Sajad Mufti Kashmir
Who Is Former IFS Officer Sajad Mufti? He Returns to Politics, Reconnecting with People
SP Goyal
Loyalty, Central Ties, Clean Image: How Senior IAS SP Goyal Rose to Become Uttar Pradesh's Chief Secretary?
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Govt Posts 9 Newly Trained IPS & 1 HPS Officer Across the State After Training Completion at SVPNPA, Hyderabad
Modi Varanasi
Varanasi Leads UP's Development March as PM Modi Unveils ₹2,200 Cr Projects, PM-KISAN Funds Released
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
HPCL_logo_HIndustan Petroleum
HPCL Signs MoU with IIM Jammu to Foster Academic and Leadership Collaboration
Indian_Army_
Boosting Battlefield Logistics: Indian Army Signs Rs 223 Crore Deal for Next-Gen Tank Transporter Trailers
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT