Dimapur reporting alarming number of Dengue cases

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 10  

Dimapur is reporting Dengue cases at a rate more alarming than it was in 2016. The district has reported 67 positive cases (as on October 7, 2017) with apprehension rife that the number would increase.  

Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, State Programme Officer, National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) stated on October 10 that the figure was as per data maintained by the Sentinel Surveillance Site Lab, District Hospital, Dimapur. He informed that the year’s first positive Dengue case from the district was reported in late July and as many as 67 suspected blood samples testing positive till date, out of a total of 204 samples collected by the Sentinel Lab. There has been no report of any Dengue-related fatality so far, he added.  

The prevalence rate this year is rather alarming in comparison to the year before. The district had on record 8 positive cases around mid-October, 2016 with the number of positive cases peaking at 141 by the end of the year. While there has been no official data as regards the yearly incidence rate since the first Dengue case was recorded in Nagaland in 2009, the number of cases being reported is showing an increasing trend each year. The October-November period in 2015 reported as many as 22 positive cases.  

The post-monsoon period before the onset of winter here is said to be the most vulnerable to Dengue outbreak. With regard to departmental response, Dr. Kevichusa informed that fogging operations started about a week back.  

“Fogging has started in endemic areas and entomologists are already conducting ‘vector density’ study in select areas.”  

Clock Tower, Dhobinulla, Lhomithi colony and its immediate surroundings have been identified as the areas where the study is on. These places are also said to have reported a high incidence rate. Unlike the year before, the district vector response wing’s 5-6 fogging machines are said to be working fine this time.  

Dr. Kevichusa said that community participation is important and solicited beginning with removing unattended stagnant water collection in and nearby human dwellings.