One More Dies, Diphtheria Toll Rises To 6 In Odisha

Bhubaneswar, June 20: The diphtheria death toll in Odisha rose to six with a 10-year-old boy succumbing to the disease under treatment at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur last night.

The deceased has been identified as Dipuna Meleka, a 10-year-old son of Subarao Meleka of Kumbiraput village under Bandhugaon block in Koraput district.

Earlier, five people had died due to the disease in the Kashipur area of the Rayagada district.

The diphtheria situation has been a cause of concern for the people of Rayagada and Koraput.

To check the spread of the disease, the administration has begun a vaccination drive administering a booster dose to children.
While a penta dose is administered to children within one year of age, a TD dose is given to children aged 5-15.