Nagaland has so far reported 2899 Dengue cases, one death

October 28, 2023 20 Views No Comment

Dimapur highest with 1398 cases, Mon at 933 and nil in Noklak

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 28

2899 dengue positive cases and one death have been reported across Nagaland as on October 26, 2023.

This was communicated to media by Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland through a press interaction here today.

Dimapur district recorded the highest number of dengue positive case with 1398, followed by Mon at 933, Wokha- 197, Kohima- 141, Kiphire-59, Mokokchung-46, Longleng-17, Peren-47, Phek-23, Tuensang- 1, Zunheboto-6 and 31 from others (those who come from Assam and tested positive).

There is no report of dengue positive case from Noklak district.

One death has been reported from Mon district.

‘No need to panic’
Dr E Motsuthung Patton, Mission Director, National Health Mission. (NHM) Nagaland said that the State Response Team headed by Health & Family Welfare minister P Paiwang Konyak is monitoring the situation closely. “The situation is under control, so, there is no need to panic,” Patton said.

He recalled that the dengue outbreak in the state was first detected in Dimapur district on June 15. With two confirmed case through Sentinel Surveillance Laboratory Dimapur, he said the medical team immediately conducted a comprehensive survey which confirmed the presence of dengue vectors. Subsequently, a thorough case investigation was carried out on the same day.

‘Source reduction measures necessary’
Dr Nyan Kikon, Deputy Director IDSP said that after the detection of dengue case, the medical team led by officials of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme carried out case investigation through house to house visits to reduce the source of vectors, creating awareness through media platform etc.

Like in the rest of the country, Nagaland is also experiencing high number of dengue case in the state, he said.

“The increase in number of dengue case is not only in our state but all over the country,” he said.

He stated that dengue outbreak can be attributed to many factors. One being rapid urbanization and others like climate change.
During 2022, 154 dengue positive cases have been reported in Nagaland.

Dr Kikon informed that respective districts have formed District Response team headed by Deputy Commissioners.

He informed that many steps have been taken by the department and NVBDCP. Medical minister also visited Dimapur District Hospital and other health institutions to take stock of necessary preparedness.

In the state level, we have State Task Force including Emergency Task Force in the Directorate and the matter is being monitored on daily basis, he said.

We are emphasizing a lot on source reduction measures, he said and stressed on the need to remove any stagnant water. “We want community participation as we cannot go to each and every house,” he said. Dr Kikon said that cleanliness drive needs to be done at least once in a week.

Mon district scenario
Touching on Dengue outbreak in Mon District, Dr Vezokholu Theyo, Joint Director, Health & Family Welfare said that the first positive case in Mon district was detected on July 4 and from there, it started advocacy measure and set up control room to monitor the trend of the incidence of dengue.

She said that the District Task Force had consultative meeting with the medical minister in August to plan out mechanism for prevention and control of dengue.

Dr Theyo informed that social work has been initiated every Saturday.

She lauded the community participation to prevent dengue. Medical minister, Konyak Baptist Church Council and Mon legislators also extended donation.

Dr Mereninla, SPO, NHM informed that extra bed has been set up at the Mon District Hospital and some extra manpower from other districts also sent to Mon. Dr Tinurenla, Deputy Director, NVBDCP was also present during the press interaction.