Outbreak of Dengue has overwhelmed the health services in Dimapur where all hospitals, both government and private are packed and leaving no scope for admitting more patients.
As per official statistics, provided by District Surveillance Officer, Dr Kavito Zhimomi, there are 1,670 suspected cases currently in Dimapur, up from 227 since the outbreak in July. The current preventive measures, which include fogging in about 50 areas, have proved to be insufficient, Dr Kavito said. He described the current fogging method as using “high-positivity rainwater with a higher vector density,” and raises questions about its effectiveness is uncertain in localities with very high incidents of Dengue.
There appears to be some communication gap as results remain unsatisfactory despite concerted efforts to reach out to the government, workers, and businesses for awareness programs. This has spurred the launch of door-to-door campaigns emphasizing “social reduction” to quickly raise public awareness said Dr. Kavito.
Most worrisome is that amidst the dengue surge, the specter of COVID-19 looms. Dr. Kavito has called for rapid diagnostic tests not only for dengue but also for COVID-19 as it underscores the enormity of the health challenges Dimapur city faces. This challenge raises questions about the readiness of health institutions to handle a dual challenge.
Dr. Kavito said initiatives were currently underway, with teams reaching out for educating the public about larvae, pupae, and mosquito reproduction. However, with a stressed system and a clear communication gap, there’s concern about whether these efforts were enough. He felt that both health authorities and the public have to jointly shoulder the responsibility of addressing this health crisis.