• Presence of Dengue eggs and larvae alarmingly high
• Waterlogging and drainage clogging increase breeding • Source reduction to be primary focus in fighting dengue
Dimapur, September 7 (MExN): In twine with the campaign to fight against Dengue and other vector-borne diseases, an intersectoral meeting on dengue was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Dimapur on September 4.
Albert Ezung, ADC, Dimapur stated that the Dengue cases have increased in Dimapur however, there has been no death reported so far, it was mentioned in a release.
“The Health Department in the district has been carrying out various activities to curb the menace but there are lots of works to be done,” he stated.
The ADC also mentioned that the recent flooding of the urban areas due to waterlogging and drainage clogging affected the people which have high chances of disease outbreak.
Community participation is required to achieve desirable results, he also added.
He further stressed the need to identify responsible people from every community, to train and give them the responsibility and accountability to educate their respective communities on Dengue and other vector-borne diseases, and also sensitize them on the preventive and curative aspects of the diseases.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts of the government and the public and various NGOs to curb the menace.
Dr Talitemsu, State Program Officer, NVBDCP stated that there are three vectors mainly found in Nagaland; Dengue, Malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), the release also stated.
She stated that the cases of Malaria have considerably gone down over the years; however, the cases of Dengue have increased. She highlighted the scenario of vector-borne diseases in Nagaland and Dimapur District in particular.
She hoped that such a meeting would bring about good resolutions to prevent vector-borne diseases in the district.
According to Dimapur DVBO Dr. Imtiwabong Aier, during the recent Entomological survey and inspections carried out in various localities in Dimapur, the percentage of House Index which indicates the presence of Dengue eggs and larvae was alarmingly high.
The high rate of House index suggests that there is a high risk of transmission and increased cases of Dengue.
He stressed on source reduction to be the primary focus in fighting dengue as fogging kills only the adult mosquitoes and not the eggs and larvae.
Community participation is the need of the hour to reduce the breeding sites and prevent the increase of Dengue cases in Dimapur district, he stated.
The program was chaired by Dr Imtiwabong Aier, DVBO and vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, CMO Dimapur. The meeting was attended by Neisakho, Dy. Director, Kikolul Khieya, Asst. Director, UVBDS and representatives from Dubashis, Rotary Club, DMC, Dimapur Christian Forum and staffs under SPO and CMO offices.
