Pig rearers vulnerable to JE infection
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2011: While recent trend of rearing pigs even in crowded residential pockets might fetch the owner/s handsome returns for their labour those staying in close proximity to pens have been classified as most vulnerable to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) infection.

It also said informed that infection from vector borne diseases, if any, could be detected in most health centres of the State with the diagnosis result possible within a few minutes.

Emphasising on early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment as the three most important components to combat the diseases, JE infection is informed to be preventable through single dose vaccination, which the Manipur State Vector Borne Disease Control Society provides free of cost.

Speaking at a one day 'Advocacy meeting of the media personnel on prevention and control of vector borne diseases' at Manipur press Club today, experts of Manipur State Vector Borne Disease Control Society cautioned that without taking adequate preventive measures, rearing pigs might prove costly for JE infection claiming human lives is a possibility.

Presenting the key note address, Entomologist of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Manipur Y Krishna said out of the six vector borne diseases, cases of Malaria, Dengue and JE infections are prevalent in Manipur.

With mosquito bite the most common cause of the three vector borne diseases reported from various parts of the State, he said fumigation alone cannot contain outbreak of such diseases as such a measure will not be able to cover all the mosquito breeding sites, which include exposed water bodies, water remains in flower pots, stagnant drains, etc.

Inspite of various proposals from locality level organisations or individuals that fogging be undertaken in their respective places the Department concerned do not recommend such a step as chemicals used in fumigation is harmful to the human kind, particularly young children as health problems related to respiration cannot be ruled out in the future.

Explaining on the health hazard posed by pens, the Entomologist said mosquito species carrying JE virus feeds on the blood of livestock and migratory birds with pigs topping the list.

suggesting that even if pigs are to be reared mosquito nets should be used to prevent the animal from mosquito bites, he also pointed out that all vector borne diseases are curable if detected in the early stage.

On the brighter side, he informed that mortality rate from vector borne diseases have declined sharply in the State compared to the early 80s and added that country-wide objective of anti-malaria campaign is to reduce mortality rate by 50 percent within the next few years.

While stressing on early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment as three most important components to combat vector borne diseases, Krishna further mentioned that prevalence of such diseases also indicates socio-economic index of a country/State.

Stressing on community level effort for effective prevention of the diseases, he also confided that fogging is recommended at areas where there is report of two malaria cases out of every 1000 strong population.

All Manipur Working Journalists' Union president A Mobi, who graced the occasion as the chief guest said inspite of some reports on human mortality due to vector borne disease ultimately turning out to be premature there is no intention to undermine effort of the department concerned.

Moreover, as Government mechanism is ineffective beyond sub-divisional headquarters, people residing in remote and far-flung areas depend on the mass media to highlight their woes, especially when unknown diseases turn calamitous, he clarified.

Mobi also prevailed upon authorities of Manipur State Vector Borne Disease Control Society for intensive publicity campaigns through various medium to create awareness on the killer disease.

NVBDCP project Coordinator Dr W Dhaballo and Poknapham daily editor A Robindro Sharma as functional president and guest of honour respectively also shared their experiences with the media persons.

While the three other vector borne diseases namely Filaria, Kala-azar and Chikungunya are yet to be reported in the State, State Malaria Officer Dr A Ibochouba Singh, elaborated during the technical session that symptoms of JE, caused by a virus, include headache, high fever and disorientation of the infected person.

With regard to symptoms of Dengue, he listed high fever, severe headache and body pain, painful sensation in the interior part of the eyes, lack of appetite, abdomen pain, dizziness, nauseous, surfacing of reddish spots on the facial and chest areas, loose motion, loss of consciousness etc with bleeding in the nose, mouth and gum signs of severe Dengue cases.

On the otherhand, high fever followed by profuse sweating and extreme exhaustion have been cited as symptoms of malaria, according to Dr Ibochouba who reminded that all three diseases could be fatal if not diagnosed or treated in the early stage.

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