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DIMAPUR — With an objective to take stock of dengue preparedness in the state, the commissioner and secretary Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, held a meeting with the officials of National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) in his office chamber on September 23.
Emphasising that all precautionary measures must be taken by the public for the prevention of dengue, Khinchi noted that Nagaland currently has few dengue cases this year. However, for the prevention outbreak of vector borne diseases, he urged the public to maintain clean surroundings by eliminating stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding sites, wear long sleeves and use Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and repellents to prevent mosquito bites.
He emphasised the need to reiterate precautionary steps and educate the public about the peak times of mosquito activity for their safety, stated an update from the Health department.
The commissioner and secretary also inquired about the status of the dengue helpline, hospital preparedness and the distribution of LLIN.
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Also speaking at the meeting, the state programme officer and joint director of NVBDCP, Dr. Neisakho Kere, informed that only 16 cases of dengue was reported this year as compared to 4943 positive cases last year. He attributed the decrease to effective advocacy and awareness campaigns focused on source reduction.
Dr. Kere informed that NVBDCP teams in the districts are actively conducting awareness programmes and checking domestic breeding sites to remove mosquito larvae.
He noted that serotypes 1 and 2 were detected during last year’s outbreak. Stating that since many people were affected by those serotypes, he said some immunity has developed, which might explain the lower number of cases this year. However, he cautioned that the arrival of serotypes 3 and 4 could lead to a spike in cases.
Dr. Kere also mentioned that district hospitals have been informed to set up separate dengue wards.
On Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Dr. Kere expressed concern over the neurological deficits caused by the disease. He reported that this year, there have been 4 cases in Mon, 5 in Dimapur, and 1 in Peren, with no deaths recorded so far. He informed that four districts namely Mon, Peren, Phek and Kiphire were not covered by the JE routine immunisation programme. Given the high case fatality rate of JE, he stressed the importance of introducing routine immunisation in those districts.
Dr. Kere explained that JE is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, which can amplify the virus in pigs, allowing it to survive for up to a year. He noted that while human-to-human transmission does not occur, mosquitoes that bite infected pigs could transmit the virus to humans.
Regarding prevention efforts, Dr. Kere highlighted that fogging for adult mosquitoes is being conducted in areas where cases have been detected. However, due to the JE virus's prevalence in jungle and paddy field areas, he stated that fogging in those regions has been challenging. He informed that NVBDCP teams are doing their best and that the districts are put on high alert.
Regarding other diseases, Dr. Kere said that Mpox is currently not a threat in the state, but Zika virus, which is transmitted by the same Aedes mosquitoes responsible for dengue and chikungunya, remains a concern.
On malaria, Dr. Kere recounted that in 2009 Nagaland recorded the highest number of malaria cases with 8,489 positive cases and 35 deaths. He informed that 4 indigenous cases and 5 imported cases were reported last year with ‘indigenous’ meaning the infection originated within the state and ‘imported’ indicating infection from outside the state. He added that only 2 malaria cases were reported this year.
Dr. Kere further informed that 8.45 lakh LLIN have been distributed across the state to families, jhum cultivators, migrant laborers, schools, colleges and hospitals.
The deputy director of NVBDCP, Dr. Tinurenla Anicahri, also attended the meeting.