Nagaland struck hard by Dengue, 47 Cases Detected

Kohima: Chumoukedima area of Nagaland is reeling under a Dengue scare with around 45 people confirmed positive so far.

According to sources, around 296 samples were tested at Sentinel Surveillance Site Laboratory (SSSL), District Hospital Dimapur from July to 9th August. They confirmed 47 patients positive for dengue. The disease can be only confirmed by an ELISA test and the facilities for conducting this test is are available only at SSSL.

The samples were collected from both government and private hospitals. Dimapur District Vector Borne Officer, Dr. Imliwabang Aier said that Dengue can only be confirmed when it is shown positive in the ELISA test. He informed that the test kit (ELISA) is only available at SSSL, District Hospital Dimapur.

Dr.Aier said that all the private medical institutions of Nagaland had been asked to send samples which showed positive on the rapid tests (card test), to the SSSL so as to get a confirmed result.

He also said that all government and private hospitals were informed that they should confirm dengue only on the basis of results obtained from the ELISA test.

Nagaland has taken adequate measures to create awareness and to prevent the spread of dengue through taking up measures like sensitization, fogging and social work.