Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07 2009:
The virus strand which caused dengue that broke out and killed many people at border town Moreh in 2007 has been found to be an exotic breed.
It is believed that the virus strand might be common to those found in some South East Asian countries.
In the aftermath of the outbreak of dengue at Moreh in 2009, blood samples of the patients were sent to the Pondicherry based Vector Control Research Centre and it was confirmed that the disease stalking Moreh township was Dengue Type-II.
Further analysis of the samples revealed that virus strand causing the disease was different from the three virus strands identified in the country.
It is suspected that the virus strand detected at Moreh might be among those virus strands identified earlier in some South East Asian countries.
Meanwhile, acting on the reports that 197 patients with symptoms similar to those of dengue were examined at the OPD of Moreh Hospital last month, a team led by Health Services Director (Public Health) Dr Bhubonchandra has left for Moreh today.
The team would work to identify and collect the mosquitoes communicating the disease.
However, the State does not any facility to conduct test for dengue nor is there any laboratory for serum separation, conveyed a source.