Figure of 743 dead, 11,955 infected : Manipur not immune
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: February 23, 2015 -

The figure is frightening.

743 dead and 11,955 infected with HINI or Swine Flu till February 19 across the country.

This is the official figure and the possibility of it being higher cannot be written off.

Swine Flu is yet to come to Manipur but there is no guarantee it will not and the fact that Nagaland and Mizoram have reported one infection each should make it more than clear that the Flu is indeed knocking at the door.

Calculate the grim scenario with the latest report that a drug resistant Malaria is likely to erupt in neighbouring Myanmar and this is all the more reason to be worried.

Prevention it seems is the best course of action against Swine Flu as there is as yet no known effective vaccine against it.

The State Government obviously seems seized of the matter and the State Health Department has already started sending out preventive measures for the citizens.

Constructive move it is for too often the State Government has been caught napping whenever the situation warrants it to take up the needed preventive measures.

Those who kept a close tab on the response of the State Government during the rabies episode, primarily at Churachandpur, will understand the point that is sought to be conveyed here.

This is not to alarm anyone, but to stress the point that Swine Flu and drug resistant Malaria are within shaking hands distance.

Two positive cases of Swine Flu in the North East region and drug resistant Malaria in neighbouring Myanmar and this should give a fair idea on how fragile the situation is.

Apart from the Government taking up the needed preventive measures a lot will also depend on how well sensitised are the public. This is where the use of the mass media becomes important.

The Government will also need to do more than the awareness drive it has taken up so far.

Care should be taken to ensure that there is adequate stock of medicines for both Swine Flu and the possible outbreak of Malaria, if at all the warning sounded some just days back is taken seriously enough.

Time for the Government and its agencies to be ready for any development.

Time will tell if the Government is prepared or not but this is not the time to leave anything to chance.

Educate the public, launch awareness drive and keep the health machinery on the ready.

For instance face masks may be distributed, especially to the poorer section of society and the Government may demonstrate more effectively the right way of washing one’s hands.

At the moment Swine Flu is yet to reach Manipur, but this is not the time to continue relying on good fortune.

It is real and the statistics of the dead and those infected should be more than clear.

Not the time to take comfort in the thought, ‘It wouldn’t affect us.’

Time also for the public to extend all their co-operation and ensure that the expert tips and suggestions given by the Government are followed meticulously.

For this to happen, the Government and the public need to go together after all it is a matter concerning public safety.