Dimapur, Sep. 8 (EMN): According to Dimapur District Vector-Borne Officer Dr. Imtiwabong Aier, the recent entomological survey and inspections carried out in various localities in Dimapur found out that 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 said.
Dr. Aier informed this during the inter-sectoral meeting on dengue, held at the deputy commissioner’s office in Dimapur on Sep. 4. The meeting was conducted as part of the campaign to fight against dengue and other vector-borne diseases.
The officer said that ‘source reduction’ should be the primary focus in fighting dengue as fogging kills only the adult mosquitoes and not the eggs and larvae. He maintained that community participation is the need of the hour to reduce the breeding sites and prevent the increase of dengue cases in Dimapur district.
Dr. Aier appreciated the Rotary Club for assisting in fogging and dissemination the message on dengue and malaria in the past two years. He also thanked DMC for spraying DDT in the past.
The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Dimapur, Albert Ezung stated that dengue cases have increased in Dimapur; however, he said there has been no death reported so far. He also mentioned that the Health department in the district has been carrying out various activities to curb the menace.
The recent flooding of the urban areas due to water logging and drainage clogging affects the people, and there are concerns of a high chance of disease outbreak, he added.
“We need collaborative efforts to combat dengue. Community participation is required to achieve desirable results. Health is one’s own responsibility, and this message has to be spread and percolated down to the general public,” ADC asserted.
Ezung further stressed on the need to identify a responsible people from every community, train them 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 on the collaborative effort of the government, public, and various NGOs to curb the menace.
State Program Officer NVBDCP, Dr. Talitemsu, said there are three vectors found in Nagaland -dengue, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. She informed that the cases of malaria have considerably gone down over the years; however, the cases of dengue have increased.
Dr. Talitemsu highlighted the scenario of vector-borne diseases in Nagaland and Dimapur district in particular. Further, she expressed hope that such a meeting would bring about good resolutions to prevent vector-borne diseases in the district.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Director Neisakho, Asst. Director UVBDS Kikolul Khieya, and representatives from dobashis, Rotary Club, DMC, Dimapur Christian Forum and staff of SPO and CMO.
