Manipur health minister urges communities to come together as dengue cases surge
Imphal: Dengue cases are on the rise in Manipur with the mosquito-borne viral disease claiming the life of one person in the state’s Imphal East district.
Manipur Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh on Sunday reviewed the situation arising out of the disease and the steps taken by the concerned departments to control it.
The minister told reporters that a total of 148 confirmed cases of dengue were reported in August 2024 with the figures touching 230 in the current month.
He urged the people to take preventive measures emphasising the need for community participation in the fight against the fatal disease.
Singh reiterated that the government alone cannot fight against the disease and community participation is the need of the hour.
“We need the participation of all. Every household, each locality and all communities must come together to fight against the life threatening disease,” he added.
He said that the state health department has been actively working to curb the spread of the disease.
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“The health department has been working tirelessly in monitoring and tracing the patients affected by dengue. They are working in coordination with the IEC and have been conducting source reduction programmes,” Singh informed.
He, however, expressed concern over the alleged lack of cooperation among people in certain areas.
“There have been instances where the health department teams were denied permission to inspect the mosquito breeding grounds with some even having to face hostility,” the minister lamented.
Singh urged all sections of society to fully cooperate with the authorities stressing the importance of identifying and containing the potential breeding grounds of mosquitoes which are the primary carriers of the dengue virus.
He warned that breeding grounds are often found in unexpected places such as small ritual pots or flower pots, underscoring that any place where water is stagnant can be a breeding ground of mosquitoes.
The minister assured that the state health department has been following all protocols to combat the disease and will continue with its efforts.
Singh, however, said that without the participation and cooperation of the communities, these preventive measures taken by the health department would not be enough to contain the outbreak of dengue.
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He further appealed to the people to join hands and work together in the fight against the disease.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease occurring in tropical and subtropical areas.
Those who become infected with the virus a second time are at a significantly greater risk of developing severe disease.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, rash and muscle and joint pain.
In severe cases there is serious bleeding and shock, which can be life threatening. Treatment includes fluids and pain relievers.
