One succumbs to Dengue, localities reel under spread of disease, many wait for fogging
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2024: Even as some leikais (localities) in the valley districts have seen a dramatic rise in Dengue cases since the past few weeks, one person died of the vector borne disease today.

The exact figure of the confirmed cases of Dengue in Manipur, however, could not be ascertained at the time this report is being filed.

The person (a middle aged man) who died of Dengue today is a resident of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai and his platelet count was extremely low.

The best way to prevent Dengue fever is to eliminate pockets of stagnant water that serve as mosquito breeding sites at home, at schools, workplaces and their vicinity, and to avoid mosquito bites.

Notably, Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai (both Leirak Achouba and Leirak Macha), Keishamthong Longjam Leirak in Imphal West and Brahmapur Nahabam (Bamon Leikai) in Imphal East are the two localities which have been witnessing outbreak of the vector borne disease since the last few weeks.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, a resident of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai said that the locality has been hit by a Dengue outbreak.

He said that he could not say exactly how many people have been infected but the number of positive cases is alarming.

As per his estimation, three is at least one Dengue infected person out of every three family units in Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai and Longjam Leirak .

Saying that two of his family members recuperated only recently after being infected, he added that more and more cases of Dengue continue to emerge from the locality.

The person also said that he went to the State Malaria Office at Lamphelpat a couple of days back to inform about the situation and to carry out a fogging exercise at his residence and the surrounding area.

Saying that the staff he met at the office asked him to bring a copy of the report of the Dengue infection, he added that the fogging exercise was done a day after he submitted the report.

Notably, fogging exercise has to be done after the hospital where a Dengue case is confirmed sends a report to the State Malaria Office.

Meanwhile, Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai Leirak Macha Youth Club member Koijam Jiten said that many families at his locality and neighbouring Longjam Leirak have 3-4 confirmed cases of Dengue.

He said that many people, despite showing symptoms of Dengue, are not going to hospitals and taking medications without consulting doctors.

The symptoms of Dengue include headache, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands and rash.

Saying that the State Malaria Office hasn't carried out widespread fogging exercise at his locality as of yet, Jiten expressed desire for the Government to issue a red alert and take up necessary action to control the spread of Dengue infections at the locality.

Comment