Manipur is facing a renewed dengue outbreak, with one confirmed death reported in the Imphal West district. As of September, the state has recorded a total of 448 dengue cases, with Imphal West having the highest incidence at 259 cases, followed by 117 cases in Imphal East.
During a conference on Sunday at the RD Wing in Lamphel, Health Minister Sapam Ranjan highlighted the ongoing efforts of health officials to control the spread of the infection. He emphasized the necessity of community participation in combating dengue, stating that effective control will be challenging without it.
In August, 148 cases were reported, escalating to 230 by September 18. The previous year saw a total of 2,548 positive cases, with Imphal West accounting for 1,639 cases and Imphal East for 521; notably, no deaths were reported in 2023.
Minister Ranjan assured that the health department is prepared to tackle the outbreak and will bolster manpower if required. In response to media inquiries, he explained that fogging is conducted within a 100-meter radius of positive cases to eliminate mosquitoes, though it does not eradicate mosquito eggs.
The minister called on the public to adhere to preventive measures, particularly by eliminating stagnant water in and around homes, including in flower pots, to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
