In Orissa, despite frantic efforts of the state government to contain cholera epidemic in tribal-dominated Rayagada district, the outbreak continues to claim more lives. The government says, 40 people have so far died due to cholera while 1,311 have been affected in Rayagada. The disease has spread to 400 villages in Rayagada district.The primitive tribes residing in Rayagada are devoid of basic amenities like safe drinking water due to which, they are affected by cholera. Even government welfare schemes have also not reached the people of Rayagada district living in abject poverty. The cholera situation in Orissa has spread to Nowarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Sundergarh, Bolagnir, Nuapada, Bhadrak and Bargarh district. Meanwhile, a three-member team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) headed by Dr Jagbir Singh is reaching Bhubaneswar this afternoon. The team will go to Rayagada district on Saturday to assess cholera situation.