One succumbs to 'rabies' in CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, January 12 2015: With cases of dog-bite still increasing by the day, the district hospital Churachandpur has in the past two days witnesseed at least two cases of rabies with one succumbing last night while the other has been referred to Imphal around noon today even as the dog-bite figure since January 1 reached 71 .

Addressing the press at the Deputy Commissioner's office chamber today, Dr Arke Medical Superintendent District Hospital today furnished 6 cases of suspected Rabies which the hospital has treated since November but in vain.

Terming the situation as alarming, he said 'Clinically it is Rabies,' adding that he had personally treated some of them.

The latest victim identified as Otkholam (62) father of Seineo of Jangmun village has been brought to the hospital yesterday noon but was referred to Imphal as he had already developed signs and symptoms of rabies.

Hospital sources said he had expired soon after.

Otkholam was said to have been bitten by a dog sometime last week.

Rapid Action Team addressing the media inside police station

Another case identified as Thangkhanmang of Mata village has been referred to Imphal today but according to Dr Arke he had already been paralytic and dropping saliva, another symptom of Rabies besides hydrophobia.

Thangkhanmang, the Medical Superintendent said, was bitten by a dog sometime last year along with two others.

While one of them identified as Thanggoulun had expired in December 23 the other is still healthy and has been advised to seek immediate medical attention.

A WT message dispatch by the Deputy Commissioner addressed to Principal Secretary (Health) put the number of death cases due to dog-bite in the district to 9 .

The victims have been identified as Khamminthang (40) Sielmat 25-10-2014; Kamminthang (38) Mualnuam 18/12/2014; Otkholam (62) Tangnuam 11/1/2015 at RIMS; Lalpianmawi (23) of New Lamka 21/12/2014 at RIMS; P Tuankhanlian (31) of Zion Veng New Lamka 30/12/2014; Thanggoulun (38) of Mata 23/12/2014; Lunlallian (3) of Tualnuam 12/12/2014; Suamlunmang (infant) of Zion Veng 15/12/2014; Nursangliana (28) of Thingkangphai 26/12/2014.The figure, it is believed.

could be more as it has not included some locally known cases.

Even as the Deputy Commissioner Lunminthang Haokip has asked district officials as well as the public to remain on their toes and fight the menace, the press meet at his chamber also exposed the lack of anti-rabies vaccine.

The CMO Dr Thangchinkhup has informed that 43 doses of vaccine have been received from the state authorities just last week with a promise to deliver 50 more doses tomorrow.

The figure stands too little too late as the data produced by the Medical Superintendent put cases of dog-bite since October 2014 at more than 260; 58 cases in October, 59 in November, 77 in December and 72 in January with three cases reported today.

When asked what was administered to the patient before the supply reached them last week, authorities have revealed that the patients were advised to get the vaccine from private pharmacies.

But they nevertheless noted that the vaccine would lose its potency if the optimum temperature is not maintained.

It would be an enormous task for private pharmacies to do so in the absence of 24 hours electricity.

The Veterinary department has claimed that over 2000 dogs have been vaccinated till date in their attempt for mass vaccination but they responded in the negative when enquired what efforts have been made to reach out to those people who have not yet approached them.

Nevertheless they have promised to set afoot a fresh drive to deal with such cases.

Meanwhile the RAT has continued to patrol the streets along with Police personnel and made their first catch today using a net.

According to an order issued by the District Magistrate, the apprehended dogs would be kept at the Police Station before they are let off after 4pm each day.

In cases where the owners come to claim them, nominal fines will be imposed and the dogs would be handed over only after vaccination if it had not received any prior vaccination.