Dr. R. Imtimeren Jamir. (NP)With encouraging results received during the anti-malaria month campaign in June last, Dimapur district health administration has affirmed to observe the whole of July as ‘anti-dengue month’ so as to intensify the campaign to prevent the growing number of dengue cases in the district. To start with, Dimapur district observed ‘anti-dengue month’ by organizing a workshop on dengue on Tuesday at Hotel Saramati conference hall, Dimapur. With regard to signs and symptoms of dengue fever, Dr. Moa Jamir, district programme officer Dimapur said dengue fever also known as breakbone fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by dengue virus. Dengue is transmitted from a patient to a healthy person by bite of an infected mosquito called ‘Aedes aegypti’ and is characterized by fever, headache, muscle and joint pain and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles, he added. Dr. Moa said dengue fever symptoms can be divided into three phases, first febrile phase which includes sudden onset of fever, headache, mouth and nose bleeding, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, rash and diarrhea. The second phase is critical where patients suffer from hypotension, pleural effusion, ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding and the third phase is recovery phase which includes altered level of consciousness, seizures, itching and slow heart rate. In case of fever with blood loss, the patient should seek medical treatment immediately, said Ketholeho senior Entomologist National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme Nagaland while stressing on vector control and preventive measures of dengue fever. He said water should not be allowed to gather in pits, tins, cans, discarded tyres around the house and that the overhead tank should be covered to prevent breeding of vector mosquitoes. Since there is no specific drug for dengue or vaccine for protection, he emphasized on a symptomatic and supportive treatment, self protection from mosquito bite to prevent dengue fever. Dr. R. Imtimeren Jamir principal director directorate of health and family welfare who was the chief guest said people from all walks of life should come together to prevent dengue with massive awareness campaigns launched and preventive measures taken to stop breeding of mosquitoes. Penalties should be imposed on those who fail to comply with the guidelines, he said and called on the district administration authorities to enforce discipline in regard to cleanliness. Sedevikho Khro additional deputy commissioner Dimapur who was the guest of honor, quoted the famous adage “health is wealth” and believed health should take precedence among other things in life. Sedevikho also urged the gathering clear various misconceptions and doubts related to dengue fever and its preventive measures and not to hang around waiting for the government or the department to take the first move. Among the special invitees, Dr. Tali Longkumer from Zion hospital said in November 2009, out of the 39 samples sent from Zion hospital, 19 were tested positive for dengue and urged the people not to opt for self-medication but choose a scientific method of treatment and lay more emphasis on cleanliness. Lepshi Ao advisor DMC sanitation in-charge urged all to maintain cleanliness and to dispose waste responsibly. Chairman of the workshop, Dr. Sukhato Sema chief medical officer Dimapur informed that a medical team would check the labs in Dimapur to confirm whether they have obtained license from the health and family welfare department, whether the labs are standardized, equipped with qualified microbiologist and technicians attending training from time to time. The team would also check all hotels and restaurants to find out whether they follow the safe handling guidelines, examine whether food handlers are free from HIV, typhoid, hepatitis and other diseases, he added. Informing that District Hospital Dimapur Blood Bank was the only authorized blood bank in Dimapur, Dr. Sukhato said Dimapur district alone has 47 health sub centres to provide medical facilities to the people. Under operation ‘Sadbhavana’, he said the Army affirmed to construct a morgue costing around `50 lakhs for district hospital Dimapur. Meanwhile, during the workshop it was decided that a mass social work would be held on July 16 from 6am to 8am in and around Dimapur. The workshop was attended by doctors, GBs, DBs and special invitees.
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