Bhubaneswar: Cholera and diarrhea epidemic, in three tribal-dominated Orissa regions have claimed 164 lives up till now, as functionaries confirmed five more casualties in worst-hit Koraput yesterday.

R K Agarwal, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), said the death toll, which has climbed up to 159 on Wednesday, further came up to 164 with confirmation of five deaths in Dasmantpur block of Koraput area.

Kashipur, Orissa: Cholera has preyed more than hundred people in Orissa’s Koraput and Rayagada districts. More than 6000 people have got treatment thus far.

Orissa health department has reported that at least 43 persons have died of diarrhoea which broke out in epidemic form in Kashipur block of Rayagada district. Rayagada is a tribal area of the state and the medical services are very poor.

43 persons have died in Kashipur block and more than 50 have been admitted in hospitals for treatment. Chinmay Basu (Health Secretary) has conducted a survey with 12 medical teams in Kashipur block.

Bhubaneswar: UPA’s presidential applicant Pratibha Patil will visit Bhubaneswar on July 11 to campaign.

AICC general secretary V Narayanswamy said Ms. Patil will arrive in the evening and talk with Congress MLAs and MPs and other backing parties at a meeting being planned for the purpose.