Imphal, July 17 2010: District Malaria Officer (DMO), Churachandpur disclosed today that atleast 2 children died due to Japanese Encephalitis in the early part of this month and appealed to the public to avoid from mosquito bites as far as possible.

Confirming the death of two children, the DMO Dr F Thienkhogin revealed that Lovejoy (12) of Tipaimukh area died at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital on July 7 and S Naocha Singh (13) s/o S Sunamani of Loktak Project area died on July 3 in the same hospital.

both the victims hailed from Churachandpur district.

Pigs being a transmitting source, people who are rearing pigs should take extra care by keeping the place hygienic and if possible with mosquito net, appealed the DMO while adding that fogging and other containment programmes in order to prevent mosquitoes bite related diseases will be taken up in a few days time.

It is pertinent to note that suspected mosquito-bite related diseases including Japanese Encephalitis and malaria have claimed nearly 20 lives in Manipur and still haunting various parts of the state in the last one month.

The outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in Manipur has already been confirmed officially.

As per the fact files, Japanese Encephalitis is a viral disease that infects humans and animals causing inflammation around the brain while malaria is caused by the plasmodium parasite and both are transmitted through mosquito bite.

Symptoms wise, Japanese Encephalitis will have high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, seizure, spastic paralysis and death.

In the case of malaria, it will have the symptoms of fever, headache and vomiting.

In the meantime, the death tolls are crossing 20 with the latest 4 victims from the districts of Ukhrul and Tamenglong due to suspected mosquito related diseases.

Some of the patients undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the state are also confirmed as Japanese Encephalitis and malaria patients.

CCpur correspondent SS Guite adds : Four suspected cases of JE from the district have been treated at RIMS, Imphal since early July, informed a source that also confirmed that two of them were JE positive and had expired on the first week of this month.

Dr F Thienkhogin, the DMO has in a statement issued to the press said his department will be conducting fogging and bed net impregnation camps at localities where confirmed cases of JE were reported.

He however ruled out mass fogging citing technical reasons.

'Mass fogging and DDT spray is not feasible due to some technical reasons.

Only affected area are taken up for immediate measures,' he said.

As of now, there are no additional suspected cases of JE in the district.

All medical personnel in the district are advised to remain vigil, the medical officer added.

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