DIMAPUR — The number of dengue cases has increased in Dimapur since the onset of the monsoon with at least 115 confirmed positive cases being reported in less than three months, 27 of which were imported cases from the neighbouring state of Assam.
Peter Sangtam, the district vector-borne diseases (DVBD) consultant, told Eastern Mirror that the confirmed cases included those reported from Niuland and Chümoukedima, as the two new districts still report to Dimapur.
The figures reported (115) are from the month of June till date, informed Sangtam, adding that Nagarjan in Dimapur and Chümoukedima district, as a whole, were worst affected by the disease.
The official said that dengue cases are normally reported between September and October but it started in June this year due to the early arrival of monsoon.
“Because of the early arrival of the monsoon rain, we are anticipating the number of cases to exceed last year’s report,” he said, while adding that no casualty has been reported due to the disease to date.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]In 2022, most of the cases were reported from Nagarjan area, and this year as well, he said, maintaining that this is because of the poor drainage system.
He, however, mentioned that environmental factors, too, can play a big role in this, as it is a mosquito-borne disease.
According to the DVBD consultant, fogging alone will not prevent mosquitoes or dengue, but source reduction is critical to preventing the mosquito cycle by controlling larvae to avoid the production of adult mosquitoes, as the eggs can survive for months.
He emphasised on the importance of eliminating open water sources, particularly stagnant water.
“Another important method to adopt is observing dry days at least once a week,” he noted.
It may be mentioned that the department has been conducting awareness and fogging exercises in various colonies on a daily basis except on rainy days and Sundays.