Rourkela - At least 10 persons have died of a mysterious disease within a span of eight days near Bondamunda, about 10 km from here, triggering panic among local people.

Fifteen other patients from the area who complained of mild fever, severe headache and vomiting are being treated in several hospitals of the district, doctors said adding that efforts are on to identify the disease.

The mystery disease had claimed six lives last week while four people died yesterday in the Tilikanagar slum area near here.

Assistant District Medical Officer, R N Das told PTI that a team of doctors was rushed to the affected area this morning with medicines.

Residents of the slum area accused the Rourkela Municipality of ignoring the locals.