DIMAPUR — The National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) Peren, Nagaland, conducted several awareness campaigns in the district in response to the increasing number of suspected dengue and Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases.
During the awareness campaigns and seminars, Vimekhrie U Metsieo, consultant at NCVBDC Peren, emphasised the importance of malaria elimination, the public's role and responsibilities, and the need for public cooperation in order to successfully implement programme activities in the district.
According to a press release, she also shared data about the disease trend in the country, Nagaland, Peren district, and the current year's detection of four Japanese encephalitis and three dengue confirmed cases, in addition to many symptomatic cases in the district.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Dr. Hedungkiebe, the District Vector-Borne Officer (DVBO), Peren, shared messages about vector-borne diseases and preventive measures such as wearing long sleeves and long pants while working, using mosquito repellents and bed nets not only at home but also during field work, and, most importantly, reducing larvae sources by emptying water collection pockets (stagnant waters, empty cans, etc.) and cleaning surroundings where mosquitoes can grow.
In a startling revelation, he informed that on conducting a blood sample survey of pigs from JE affected families in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Jalukie, in the month of August, all seven samples sent were found to be antibody positive against the JE virus, and the presence of the virus protein was also confirmed in three samples on further investigation done outside the state, which implies that the JE virus is already endemic in the district.
Besides IEC (information, education, and communication) and BCC (behaviour change communication) activities carried out in various places on detection of JE and dengue cases, the release mentioned that mass awareness was conducted at Ngwalwa town and Gaili village on August 16, St. Xavier College on August 18, Jalukie main town area on September 14, and seminars on vector-borne diseases were conducted with leaders from five churches at DVBO office, Jalukie, on September 14 and six churches at District Hosital Peren on September 15.
A circular was also issued on September 7 to all village and ward chairmen in the district to inform the public of the observation of one dry day in a week during mosquito breeding season in every household. On September 12, a similar message was sent to the chairmen to raise awareness of vector-borne diseases in their respective villages or wards.