Dengue outbreak in Manipur, 102 new patients confirmed

Imphal, October 16 (IANS). Dengue cases increased in the northeastern state with 102 more people infected with dengue in six of the 16 districts of Manipur on Thursday. At least 2,585 people have been found infected with dengue in the state so far this year, while one patient suffering from the vector-borne disease died in the state’s Bishnupur district, a report by the health and family welfare department said. According to officials, positive cases of dengue have increased by 91 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year (2024). The report said that between January 1 and October 12 this year, 2,585 positive cases were reported out of 6,093 people tested. Officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare said there was an increase of 1232 cases this year. During the same period in 2024, 1,353 cases of dengue were reported. Of the state’s 16 administrative districts comprising valley and hilly areas, Imphal West reported the highest number of cases at 1,839, followed by Imphal East (434), Bishnupur (79), Thoubal (67), Senapati (45), Kakching (37) and Ukhrul (23). The worst affected areas are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, which fall in the densely populated Imphal Valley region. While Senapati, Kakching and Ukhrul districts are in hilly areas. One person died due to dengue in Bishnupur district. An official from the Department of Health and Family Welfare said that under the guidelines of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), the department is trying to prevent dengue in collaboration with other departments. The official said that the increasing cases of dengue in Imphal Valley is alarming. Prolonged monsoon rains and stagnant water created favorable conditions for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, leading to the spread of dengue. The health department has intensified malformation and awareness campaigns to control mosquitoes. Municipal bodies and the Department of Urban Development appealed to people to keep their surroundings clean, remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellents and nets. –IANS PSK