Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 06:
In view of the outbreak of dengue across the country which has claimed 43 lives so far, the State Health authorities has instructed the State Malaria Office to take up necessary precautionary measures.
In response, the SMO is preparing to conduct on the spot health check up of all the passengers coming from affected areas at Imphal airport very soon.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Additional Director (Public Health), Dr Thokchom Biren said, "Today I have officially intimated the SMO to take up all possible precautionary measures to ensure that that there is no outbreak of dengue in the State".
Since the disease can be caused and spread through mosquito bites, the instruction was specifically given to the State Malaria Office, Dr Biren stated adding that no case of dengue has been reported till date in the State.
When contacted, the SMO Dr Ayekpam Gojendro confirmed that he had received the instruction from Dr Biren.
Acknowledging that prevention is better than cure, he informed that all passengers coming from affected areas and those who complain of any symptoms related to the viral disease would be examined at Imphal airport.
He said, "Our office will depute some health staff at the airport very soon to conduct on the spot examinations".
Gojendro also noted that no case of dengue has been detected so far in Manipur.
Concerning the passengers coming to Imphal by road, he regretted the inability of his office to examine them due to shortage of manpower.
Nevertheless, the SMO appealed to all the passengers coming from other States to get themselves examined at hospitals if they suffer from any dengue related symptoms such as fever, nausea etc.
Besides Delhi, dengue cases were reported in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttaranchal and Bihar.