Imphal, August 06: After the diarrhoea has been controlled with a firm hand at Senapati and Chandel districts, the epidemic has spread its tentacle to Thoubal district where around 200 people have fallen in its grip.

Talking to The Sangai Express today, State Epidemiologist Dr Th Biren confirmed the report of outbreak of the epidemic at Thoubal district and said the State Medical Directorate is aware of it.

The State Medical Directorate received the report of the outbreak of the epidemic at Sangaiyumpham and its surrounding areas in Thoubal district on August 4 and yesterday CMO Thoubal personally contacted again him to confirm the matter, Dr Biren added.

Consequently, a medical team led by him visited the affected areas today, he said, adding Health Education Specialist of Medical Directorate Dr Tomcha and Officer in-charge of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Yaima were also part of the medical team.

On arriving at Thoubal it was learnt that the epidemic actually broke out from July 10 and a combined medical team of CMO Thoubal and Lamding Cherapur Homoeopathic and Unani Association (LACHUA), Cherapur were already treating the patients and organising health awareness camps, Dr Biren informed.

In all, 168 people are found to have been affected by diarrhoea the disease and undergoing medical treatment, he said.

State medical team also came across that 12 more persons have been affected by the disease during the visit today apart from another six persons who have been newly admitted at Thoubal District Hospital.

Luckily, there has been no report of any death from the epidemic so far, he added with a high of relief.

Dr Biren further informed that during their visit today, the medical team has collected two water samples and three stool samples.

The results of the examination of the samples collected would be known within the next two-three days.

The medical team had also conducted awareness programmes on health education, basic sanitation, hygiene, management of diarrhoea and one safe drinking water by touring the affected area today, he said.

While appreciating the efforts being taken up by CMO Thoubal and LACHUA on a war footing to combat the epidemic, Dr Biren expressed optimism that the epidemic would be controlled soon.

During the visit today, the medical team had also approached CMO Thoubal and DC Thoubal for instructing the PHE Thoubal to provide adequate safe drinking water to the people of the affected area.

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