Chickenpox outbreak in Odisha’s Gajapati district; 30 affected, 3 critical

Spreading its tentacles far and wide, chickenpox virus has affected at least 30 people including 10 children at Khajuripada village under Mohana block in Gajapati district. Of the 30 infected persons, the condition of three women is said to be critical, sources said.An accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker recently visited the village and distributed medicines among the infected persons, sources added.“Chickenpox broke out a month ago and subsequently affected many people in the village. ASHA worker visited the village a couple of days back and distributed medicines to the infected persons,” said Bijay Sabar, a resident of the village.Meanwhile, a nine-member district-level medical team including a doctor from Mohana hospital visited the village and checked the health condition of the affected persons.Mohana Community Health Centre official Dr Jay Panda said that the condition in the village is under control now.“The medical team conducted a door-to-door inspection and found that chickenpox broke out in the village 12 days ago. A student was affected first and as it is a contagious infection, it subsequently spread to others,” Panda said.“As per the information, as many as 17 persons have been affected so far by the virus. Of the infected, 10 persons are above 20 years, one pregnant woman and the rest are children,” the doctor informed.