A mass testing for dengue infection was carried out by Laifam Khunou Youth Development Association (LKYDO) in association with the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Imphal East on Saturday as a precautionary measure, following the gradual increase of dengue cases in Laipham Khunou under Imphal East district.
A small child from the said locality was tested positive for dengue on October 8. Since then, the local residents in collaboration with Health Society and NVBDCP Imphal have been taking up many precautionary measures like fogging, cleaning up of stagnant water etc. to prevent the disease from further spreading.
So far, as many as 20 persons tested positive for dengue and two of them are reportedly critical.
Speaking to the media, malaria officer of NVBDCP Imphal East, Dr U Jugindro said that the dengue case was first detected on October 8.
Following the detection, precautionary activities have been carried out after every alternate day. Fogging was carried out while awareness programmes on prevention of mosquito breeding were held.
In today’s mass testing, as many as 29 blood samples were collected for screening.
He said that the state government alone cannot combat dengue and requires coordination from the public, for which raising of awareness on dengue is highly needed.
He mentioned that the mosquito which spreads dengue usually bites in the daytime. Therefore, the people should take up precautionary measures, he added.
This virus is highly contagious and can reduce the blood platelet count drastically if a person is infected, he added, appealing to people of the state to keep their environment clean by not letting any breeding of mosquitoes.
