Imphal, July 01 2009: In connection with the report of many people suffering from Dengue like symptom in the border town of Moreh and admitted to Moreh Hospital for treatment, State Malaria Officer Dr H Nimaichand has clarified that there is no official report in this regard and the State Malaria Control Society has been conducting surveillance every month since the detection of first cases of Dengue in Manipur at Moreh in 2007 .

Even then the District Malaria Officer (DMO) concerned has been instructed to rush to Moreh and verify the report, Dr Nimaichand said while talking to The Sangai Express today.

'We have a Special Malaria Unit at Moreh and for the monthly surveillance, an official team of the State Malaria Control Society would be leaving for the border town on July 4', the State Malaria Officer informed.

With regard to outbreak of Malaria in Taothong area of Imphal West District, Dr Nimaichand conveyed that the first case was detected on June 22 in Taothong Mayai Leikai.

Out of 350 blood samples collected and screened for the first phase, 18 cases were confirmed.

Among the confirmed cases, 16 were plasmodium vivax, which is not dangerous while the remaining two were Plasmodium Falciparum, which is serious and should be treated within 48 hours, he disclosed, adding that for the second phase blood samples of 300 students of the area have also been collected today and the results would be known by morning tomorrow.

All the patients have been provided necessary medicines but they need to ensure proper medication and complete the course of medicines being prescribed, the officer said, while appealing to the people for strict adherence to the prescribed medication and co-operation in fighting against Malaria.

Dr Nimaichand further informed that as follow up action, Malathion fogging is to be carried out once again, but has not been done due to inclement weather.

Nevertheless, with the support of the local clubs and organisations, the District Malaria Officer, Imphal West has been treating bed nets with insecticide apart from carrying out awareness drive.

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