The state and district National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme organised a sensitisation programme on Dengue at Moreh in Tengnoupal district, Manipur on Sunday while the total number of dengue cases have climbed to 191, following an outbreak.
State malaria officer Dr AR Chisti, CMO Tengnoupal Dr Jangkholun Touthang and officials from District Malaria department and leaders of Hill Tribal Council, Moreh Youth Club, Kuki Students Organisation, Kuki Women Union and Human Rights, Kuki Khanglai Laumpi and others attended the programme.
The programme aimed to raise public awareness and increase public participation in controlling the further spread of the disease. At the programme, Dr Jangkholun Touthang urged the public to take up preventive measures by removing stagnant water in and around the house.
He urged the public to use Insecticide Incorporated Mosquito Nets (Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets LLINs) which were already distributed by the district Malaria department.
Stressing on the need for community participation, Dr Touthang requested all the CSO leaders to spread the awareness in their respective community and localities. He said that inspection of stagnant water regularly is a significant step in checking the spread of dengue.
Dr AR Chisti said that concealed spots like water-holding trays underneath some refrigerators can be a potential breeding ground for the Aedes mosquitoes which is responsible for the spread of dengue.
All stagnant water at playgrounds, water storage tanks, Syntex etc. and anywhere else in the buildings, and clean all water-filled containers and pots must be regularly drained out, he mentioned.
An official from the Malaria department cautioned the public to avoid self-medication or self-treatment without consulting doctors. He said that dengue fever can be confused with other diseases but one should avoid self-medication without consulting doctors as there is already a Dengue outbreak in Moreh town.
If one is suffering from dengue fever, OTC pain relievers, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) should be avoided. These pain relievers can increase the risk of dengue fever bleeding complications, he added.
District malaria department official Minthang Baite said that the total cases have now climbed to 191. The first case was found in June, 2022.
He further stressed on the need for public participation in source reduction. He urged the locality leaders, community leaders and CSO leaders to check every household in their respective localities about any probable breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Urging CSO leaders to spread awareness, Minthang Baite requested the Moreh Pastor Fellowship (MPF) to announce an awareness campaign in every church so that the message may reach all.
