A least 27 people admitted in hospital in last three days
Our Correspondent
Imphal | February 2
Four more persons, including children, suffering from an unknown disease were admitted to RIMS and JNIMS hospitals here on Tuesday.
Twenty-seven patients from Lilong area of Thoubal district, who were suffering from vomiting and loose motion, were brought to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in the last three days.
Three more such patients, including children, were admitted to RIMS while one was brought to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) today for treatment.
Now, the total number of patients suffering from the major outbreak believed to be a water-borne disease has climbed to 32. Doctors at RIMS said the disease has spread to other parts of Thoubal, which has created a panic.
Residents of Lilong use tube-well as main source of potable water supply and hence investigation is needed to determine if the outbreak is due to arsenic poisoning, RIMS medical superintendent Prof M Amuba said. “We need quick detection of the unknown disease and now we’re preparing for it. Stool samples of the patients will be collected for test. We’re trying our best to detect it,” the Professor said.
Prof Amuba appealed to people not to panic over the outbreak which he said would not become an epidemic disease. “The illness cannot be cholera either.”
Officials said a team from JNIMS are preparing to visit Lilong to conduct an investigation into the disease outbreak. Sources said there is fear that the disease could claim life in the affected area owing to lack of proper facilities at Lilong PHC. Sources reported that more than 200 residents of Lilong area have been suffering from illness showing symptoms similar to cholera since January 30.
Meanwhile, IANS reported that the authorities are making preparations to accommodate patients who might be rushed to Imphal for treatment and state government has instructed health officials to supply free medicines to the affected people.
A health department official said that since the disease was yet to be identified, the Manipur government had not issued any advisory to the public, it added.
