Imphal: With a notable increase in dengue cases in Manipur, Health & Family Welfare and IPR Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh has called upon the public to enhance their efforts and intensify measures to control and prevent the disease.
As of September 20, Manipur has reported 448 positive dengue cases, including one fatality from Imphal West. In August alone, there were 148 reported cases.
The highest incidence of dengue was recorded in Imphal West, with 259 cases, followed by 117 cases in Imphal East.
In response to the recent surge in dengue cases, Health Minister Dr. Ranjan informed that health officials and staff have initiated fogging operations to combat the disease. However, he emphasized that the department cannot effectively tackle this issue without community participation.
“We need the participation of everyone—households, localities, and communities. Only together can we successfully fight dengue,” the Minister stated.
Despite ongoing efforts to trace and monitor cases, as well as strong IEC (Information, Education, Communication) and source reduction programs, Dr. Ranjan expressed concern over reported instances of a lack of cooperation in certain areas. He noted that health teams have sometimes been denied access to inspect potential mosquito breeding grounds, and some members have even faced hostility.
He urged the public to fully cooperate with health authorities, stressing the importance of eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites, which are the primary carriers of the dengue virus. He warned that breeding grounds can often be found in unexpected places, such as small ritual pots and flower pots, highlighting that any location where water collects can serve as a breeding site.
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The Minister assured that the Health Department is following established protocols to combat dengue and will continue its efforts. However, he reiterated that without community participation and cooperation, these measures will not be sufficient to contain the outbreak.
Dr. Ranjan appealed to the public to unite in the fight against dengue and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. He urged everyone to act as responsible citizens, emphasizing that public support is crucial in overcoming this health threat.
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