Dengue cases rise to 1311

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 11: The number of Dengue cases has reached 1311 as on October 10 with Imphal West accounting for a large chunk of the total positive cases.
Dengue is transmitted by a mosquito known as Aedes Aegypti and it generally bites humans during morning, afternoon and dusk.
State Malaria Officer Dr S Priyokumar told The Sangai Express that Imphal West is the worst affected district with 918 cases.
Imphal East has reported 268 cases, Bishnupur 43, Chandel 4, Kangpokpi 5, Senapati 3, Tamenglong 2, Noney 3, Thoubal 41, Kakching 20, Ukhrul 3 and Kamjong 1.
Although 1311 dengue cases have been detected so far this year, it is still lower than last year’s figure of 2548.
Even if one compares monthly infection rate, this year’s figure is lower than last year’s, Dr Priyokumar said.
As per official records, four persons have succumbed to dengue this year. Out of them, three died at Shija Hospital.
As of now, the number of active cases has been fluctuating but it will decline considerably after November, the State Malaria Officer said.
He said that Dengue cannot be controlled by the Medical Department alone.
In order to control Dengue, all sections of the society from individual level to community level need to work together, he said.
People generally believe that fogging can control Dengue but this is a wrong notion, Dr Priyokumar said.
Dengue can be controlled easily through source reduction, that is by removing all possible mosquito breeding grounds in and around dwelling houses, he asserted.
An urban team of the departments and ASHAs went around today and they came across a surprisingly large number of mosquito breeding grounds.
Large numbers of mosquito larvae were found inside worn out or unused shoes, old tyres and bases of flowerpots, he said.
Such response or rather non-response from the public despite repeated awareness campaigns and publicity through media has disappointed the department’s staff and other health workers, he said.
Fogging can kill adult mosquitoes but it cannot harm larvae which are thriving in water, Dr Priyokumar added.