As many as six malaria-positive cases and one Japanese Encephalitis (JE)-positive case has been reported in Dimapur this year. However, all these cases were imported
DIMAPUR — As many as six malaria-positive cases and one Japanese Encephalitis (JE)-positive case has been reported in Dimapur this year. However, all these cases were imported.
This was informed by Heanglih T. Konyak, District Vector Borne Disease Consultant (DVBDC), Dimapur.
Meanwhile, Konyak told Eastern Mirror that no dengue cases have been reported in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts this year--from January till date.
As for testing, she said private healthcare facilities use Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits to screen suspected dengue cases. If a patient tests positive, the sample is sent to District Hospital Dimapur for confirmation through an ELISA test.
She said periodic source-reduction drives are conducted in urban wards to curb the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors of dengue.
Fogging is also carried out during outbreaks as a supplementary vector-control measure.
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Regarding Japanese Encephalitis, she said the department focuses on larval control in paddy fields and irrigation channels while monitoring pig-rearing sites in coordination with the agriculture and veterinary departments.
She urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever accompanied by warning signs. She also advised pig farmers to adopt safe rearing practices by keeping pig enclosures away from residential areas.
Konyak further informed that Rapid Response Teams are deployed within 24 hours of detecting any disease cluster, followed by an entomological assessment to identify and contain the source of transmission.