Meghalaya reports 44 dengue cases in 9 days; situation under control, says Health Min

“We are taking all necessary steps, we are engaging actively with municipal boards, Block Development Officers to ensure necessary combat is immediately rolled out," the minister said

Meghalaya reported at least 44 dengue cases between October 3 and 12. State Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed today that there is nothing to worry, the situation is under control and the government has taken all steps to contain the spread of the vector-borne disease. The Minister does not expect the dengue cases to rise.

Sharing details, Minister Lyngdoh said, “SOPs have already been indicated in the common dengue areas. The only thing is if you have fever for many days, kindly go to the nearest testing facility. It could be a PHC, CHC or sub-divisional hospital in various parts of the state. We are able to contain and whoever has contracted dengue has been given the correct protocol treatment as required. We do not anticipate that the cases will grow because as indicated only 2 cases were reported yesterday.”

Stating that the government is working on a war footing and working as if a war has broken, the Minister said, “We are containing dengue as a war. We have had 44 cases from 3rd October till yesterday (Thursday), we have tested around 139 fever cases. We are taking all necessary steps, in fact we are engaging actively with municipal boards, Block Development Officers to ensure necessary combat is immediately rolled out.”

The Meghalaya Health Minister further maintained that the Garo Hills region accounted for most of the dengue cases.

“Dengue is predominantly present especially in the plain belts of the Garo Hills region as of today. There was an alarming situation at one point of time on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of this month. However, as indicated in the tests that have been taken, out of the 7 that were tested yesterday, only 2 positive cases were indicated. We also have lost one soul due to brain haemorrhage caused by dengue. Do not be unnecessarily alarmed but as citizens we must remember that we must take necessary precautions”, the Minister said.

COMMENTS