Imphal, Aug 08: After several lives have been claimed by an unknown disease which broke out every year since 2001 at different parts of Bishnupur district headquarters, a team of experts from State Medical Dept today conducted a free health check up at the office of CRESA and a door to door survey camp to study the nature of the disease.

The camp and the door to door survey was organised jointly by DESAM, Bishnupur Council, Bishnupur Municipal Council and other voluntary organisations of the local area.

A team of 10 doctors from Medical Department and other paramedical staff rendered their service during the camp.

Talking to reporters, Microbiologist Dr Gopalkrishna who took part in the camp said the exact nature of the disease has not yet been identified and it is not known whether it is the same disease or different ones which have reportedly spread in the district headquarters.

Dr Goplakrishna informed that so far 12 lives have been claimed by the unknown disease and blood and skin samples from six sick patients have been collected for further examination and study.

Senior Physician of JN Hospital Dr Thokcham Joy Singh informed that unknown disease normally broke out during the months of June to August every year and the symptoms include appearance of 2 to 3 boils without pus formation, then after sometime days the boils become red or black.

While appealing to the people to report the matter to the Department as soon as they come across such symptoms, the doctor cited lack of proper medical care and dependence on quacks instead of bringing the patients to the hospital for treatment as soon as they are infected by the disease as some of the plausible reasons for the fatalities in the area.

He further said that if the blood and the skin samples collected could not be diagnosed here it would be sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD), New Delhi.

Epidemiologist Dr Nilkamal, who was also present during the camp disclosed that out of four blood samples sent earlier, NICD report stated that two samples were negative while the other two were suspicious, though they were also confirmed negative afterwards.

All the information related to the disease have been sent from the side of the Department last year itself, but no report has been received in this connection till date , added the epidemiologist.

Expressing serious concern, president of DESAM Bishnupur unit Ksh Sana Meitei said the student body would continue its ongoing campaign till the disease is identified and adequate measures adopted to control its outbreak and drew the attention of Health Minister in this regard.

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