TURA, Nov 17 � A sudden outbreak of the dreaded disease Chikungunya in the district headquarters of Tura has caused a panic in the area. Nine confirmed cases of the disease have been reported from the town even as medics race to contain it from spreading.
The citizens of Tura are experiencing a sudden rise in the outbreak of the disease with as many as nine persons having already been confirmed with the dreaded Chikungunya disease within a span of less than one month even as Health officials have embarked on a massive awareness programme to contain the disease. Medical specialists in Tura were perturbed over a dramatic rise in the number of patients suffering from high fever coupled with joint pain and symptoms of an outbreak of skin rashes toward the end of last month.
As many as 19 samples belonging to patients with the symptoms were sent for study at the National Centre for Disease Control in New Delhi. Out of the 18 blood samples, nine were found to be infected with Chikungunya and another was diagnosed with the dreaded Dengue fever.
While one case of Chikungunya was found to be from Wadanang area, the rest were reported from Nakham Bazar, Fancy Valley and Tura main market area.
Doctors have zeroed in on a possible case of immigration as the main cause for the outbreak of the disease.
�During the Durga Puja celebrations a visiting tourist with suspected symptoms of Chickungunya reportedly arrived in Tura for the festivities and it is highly suspected to be the source of the outbreak,� informed a senior medical officer who is monitoring the situation.
The outbreak is spread through the Aedes mosquito which bites its victims during the day-time unlike the anopheles mosquito which strikes during the evening hours. The mosquito is present during the day time in and around the household.
Symptoms are primarily the sudden onset of high fever for three to five days, severe headache in the forehead, bodyache, joint pains with or without swelling, tendency for nausea and outbreak of skin rashes that is primarily connected with Dengue disease. A high level team of specialists including Entamologists from Shillong who study the life of mosquitoes, have arrived in Tura to ascertain the reason for the outbreak.
The district administration has sought the help of the Border Security Force. The BSF has given the go ahead for the use of its fumigation machines to kill the mosquitoes and its larvae. The machines are being used to fumigate the highly infected areas of Tura Bazar.
Doctors in Tura have asked the general public to come forward and report any suspected cases of the two diseases. Medical specialists have also asked the public to destroy any containers which house stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes. Common habitats for the mosqitoes are old tyres and bamboo poles.
The doctors have also advised the patients not to consume pain killers at the time of the disease outbreak for fear of internal bleeding. �Children and patients must have plenty of liquid diet, good food and total bed rest for a successful health care,� said a medical officer.
Abducted Manipur varsity official rescued
Correspondent
Imphal, Nov 17 � A Section Officer of the Manipur University�s engineering cell who was abducted by suspected militants has been rescued by police commandos in a operation on Tuesday.
According to police sources, a team of Imphal West district police commandos conducted the rescue operation around today following a tip off in Arapti Chingkhong Mayai Leikai village under Lilong Police station.
�Two persons involved in the abduction were also arrested along with a 9mm pistol and five live rounds�, police said. The two persons are said to be members of the banned People�s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak.
The official Thongam Dolal was kidnapped by the suspected ultras in connection with the alleged demand of Rs 60 lakh, sources said.
