Dimapur, November 10 : With Dimapur witnessing an alarming rise in dengue cases for the first time, the situation calls for combined efforts of the department concerned as well the community to control spread of the disease, said Dr Moa, District Vector Borne Officer (DVBO).
Till date, 73 confirmed positive cases of dengue out of 439 samples tested were reported from Dimapur district. The first test for any positive dengue case was conducted in April 2016.
Dr Moa attributed the reason for widespread of cases of dengue in Dimapur to warm climatic conditions coupled with exposure to imported cases with the district being a transit point. However, he clarified that most of the cases detected are local outbreak. He said the department is monitoring the source of the outbreak and hoped that it will be controlled with the drop in temperature by November.
On Thursday, the Rotary Club Dimapur in association with National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme Dimapur conducted an intensive fogging drive around Marwari Patti and Kalibari areas.
With no medicine or treatment for dengue other than early detection of the disease, Dr Moa and Zachamo Ezung, Urban Malaria staff member, described dengue as a ‘social menace’ and stated the department alone cannot control the disease.
It is impossible for the department to go from house to house for controlling the outbreak of the disease, Dr Moa said and urged the public to be aware of the breeding ground of the mosquitoes.
Breeding sites of Dengue Vector:
• Desert cooler
• Water storage pots
• Tyres
• Open overhead tanks
• Water reservoir
• Grinding Stone
• Unused tyres
• Coconut shells
• Disposable cups
Key messages to remember
• Prevent mosquito breeding by covering all water storage containers with a well fitted lid.
• Remove all disposable unused materials lying in and around the house.
• Dry all water storage utensils, water coolers, flower vases, fridge trays at least once a week before re-filling.
• Fill-up ditches and other unwanted water collection sites around your house.
• Mosquitoes causing dengue bite during daytime.
• Ensure that at least pregnant women and children sleep under mosquito net during day time preferably insecticide treated bed nets.
Signs and Symptoms
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement
• Muscle and joint pains
• Loss of sense of taste and appetite
• Measles like rash over chest and upper limbs
When should the patients be referred to the hospital:
• If the patent suffers from fever for 4-5 days along with the above symptoms and bleeding occurs in the gum.
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of the disease which may cause death if not managed properly.
