Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2010:
Results of the blood sample sent for laboratory tests at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi may be known by July 12 or 13 .
The blood samples were collected and sent for laboratory test following the outbreak of an unknown disease in the valley districts and Churachandpur whose symptoms are quite similar to those of Japanese Encephalitis.
The unknown disease has already claimed some lives.
Health Director Dr Yaima said that results of the blood sample tests are expected by
July 12 or 13 .
Kits required for testing the disease would be arriving from Delhi through courier service soon, he said.
In case, the disease turns out to be Japanese Encephalitis, this would be the fourth time the disease breaks out in Manipur.
There were outbreaks of the same disease in Manipur in 1982, 1987 and 1995.While the first and the third outbreaks affected the whole State, the second outbreak was confined to Lai village.
Meanwhile, all possible preventive measures have been taken up to check further spread of Acute Encephalitic Syndrome in Bishnupur district.
A press release issued by the Bishnupur District Malaria Officer that the disease suspected to be Japanese Encephalitis is spreading far and wide.
Till date, two persons have succumbed to the disease while three others are undergoing treatment at RIMS and Shija
Hospital.
Two rapid response teams��one under the CMO and another under the District Malaria Officer, have been constituted.
So far, the rapid response teams have undertaken malathion fogging at Irengbam, Leimapokpam, New Canan Veng and Loktak Project areas on July 4, 5 and 9 .
Similar exercise would be conducted at Kumbi Kangjeibung Mapal and Waheng Khuman.
If any one is suspected to have been infected by the disease or suffering from symptoms like intense fever, headache, vomiting or sudden loss of consciousness, he/she should be rushed to a hospital immediately and inform the District Malaria Office through mobile nos.9856176924, 9862408439, 9856324859 or 9856025868 for prompt action from the rapid response teams.