Imphal, Jan. 29 (PTI): The Manipur Health department has deployed medical officers at Indo-Myanmar border towns of Moreh and Behiang and also at the Imphal airport to screen visitors for symptoms of the coronavirus, an official said.
Additional Director (Public Health) L Arke said precautionary measures have been taken after the Centre issued guidelines on the coronavirus.
Medical officers have been deployed at Imphal Airport, Moreh, Jiribam town which borders Silchar in Assam, Mao which is the entry point to the state from Nagaland and Behiang in Churachandpur district, he said.
“Reports are collected on a daily basis and details on where the people come from and where they are headed are also been recorded at these five centres,” Arke said.
The Health department is actively working to detect any individual entering the state with symptoms of fever, cough and cold particularly at Moreh and Behiang, he said.
Dedicated ambulance is also being kept to attend to any individual with fever. They will be brought to the “isolation ward” of either the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) or the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in the capital town of Imphal.
The state government is taking precautionary measures as many Manipuris study in China and there is a possibility of people carrying the virus while returning to the state.
The screening work for detection of novel coronavirus will be carried out on both foreigners and Indians who travelled to China and adjacent countries.
Arunachal takes step to check possible outbreak via border haat
The authorities have issued an advisory to the Changlang district administration asking it for taking preventive measures to stop the possible spread of the coronavirus through goods on sale at a border haat.
The focus is on the Pangsau Pass Border Haat in Changlang district, which is close to Myanmar as well as southern China, as the deadly virus could be spread through goods sold to Indian customers.
A total of 132 people have died from the disease in China.
“In view of the alarming situation, it is desirable to take due diligent care and make all relevant apparatus in active motion, especially along the Pangsau Pass Border Haat point,” the advisory issued by Trade and Commerce Director Tokong Pertin said.
“The outbreak of the virus this time is very serious and fatal. It is reported that there is no cure once it is infected,” the director stated in the advisory.