358 dengue cases detected; minister allays fear
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 04 2022:
Even as detection of 358 cases of dengue as of November 3, the highest ever in the state in a calendar year, has been officially confirmed, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has appealed to the public not to panic but have awareness of the disease to prevent and contain the vector borne disease.
Giving the status update of Dengue cases in the state, Dr Ranjan told media persons at his official residence here on Friday that three people including a 7-year-old girl have succumbed to the disease so far but the government has taken up necessary measures to contain the disease.
He urged the public to help the government in containing the disease instead of panicking.
While informing that the total number of Dengue positive cases in the state has reached 358 as of November 3, which indeed is the highest in state's history after previous highest cases detected in the year 2019, Dr Ranjan said that the number of positive cases this year could rise further.
He also said that eight people who contracted the disease are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
About the fatalities, the minister disclosed that a 7-year-old girl succumbed in Tengnoupal district while one patient each from Churachandpur and Bishnupur district too feel prey to the disease so far.
He informed that Tengnoupal district has the highest number of positive cases at 199 followed by Imphal East with 42 cases, Churachandpur 38 and Imphal West district 36 cases.
The minister said that all possible measures have been taken up by the health department to control Dengue and surveillance teams have been despatched to affected areas.
Apart from awareness measures, fogging is going on at affected areas, he added.
While explaining that Dengue is a viral disease caused mainly by the bite of a mosquito named Aedes, the minister said that people should not keep stagnant water in their surroundings.
He also said that water containers containing water should not be kept exposed but fully covered as mosquitoes use them as breeding ground.
He also advised people to use mosquito nets while taking nap as Aedes are day biter starting from the dawn to dusk.
State Mission Director, NHM, Manipur Dr Somorjit Ningombam, additional director, deputy directors, State Malaria Officer, officials of NHM and health department and others also attended the press conference.