Amid preventive steps 182 dengue cases confirmed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2024: Even as the state has reported 182 cases of dengue so far this year, the government is hopeful for lower prevalence compared to last year's record of 2,548 cases.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, state malaria officer Dr S Priy-okumar expressed confidence that the number of dengue cases this year will remain significantly lower, given the current trend.

As of August 26, Imphal West and Imphal East have reported the highest number of cases, with 79 and 55, respectively.

Other districts have also recorded outbreak of dengue with Thoubal reporting 19 cases, Bishnupur (13), Kakching (7), Chandel (3), Kangpokpi (2), Ukhrul (2), Senapati (1) and Tamenglong (1) .

In Imphal West, most cases are concentrated in Mongsangei and Lalambung areas, while in Imphal East, Bamon Leikai is the most affected.

To combat the spread of dengue, the health department has been carrying out various preventive measures, including fogging, soaking mosquito nets with preventive chemicals, and conducting awareness programmes.

So far, fogging exercises have covered 153 localities, 5,889 mosquito nets treated with insecticides, 433 awareness programmes organised, and 721 source reduction activities implemented, and ASHA workers trained to scout domestic mosquito breeding sites through door-to-door visits, the malaria officer elaborated.

Dr Priyokumar emphasised that while fogging can eliminate adult mosquitoes, it is ineffective against the larvae.

Therefore, relying solely on fogging is a misconception among the public, he explained, while suggesting that the most effective way to prevent dengue outbreak is regular sanitising of mosquito breeding sites such as uncovered water containers, water plates under flower pots, etc.

Over the past decade, dengue cases in Manipur have been on the rise with 203 cases reported in 2021, 503 in 2022, and 2,548 cases in 2023.Last year, the first half of September alone reported surge of 372 dengue cases.

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