CHURACHANDPUR: The Churachandpur district administration has called for intensified dengue control measures and increased public awareness across the district amid concerns over the spread of the infection and questions over the reported number of cases and deaths.
The call was made during a media briefing held at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall at the Mini Secretariat in Tungbong on Wednesday, following an invitation from the district information officer (DIO), Churachandpur.
The meeting was chaired by Churachandpur deputy commissioner Krishna Kumar and attended by the chief medical officer (CMO), medical superintendent (MS) of Churachandpur District Hospital, district malaria officer (DMO), other line officers and media representatives.
During the briefing, the DC called for dengue control measures to be intensified through public awareness campaigns across the district, stressing the need for sustained efforts to contain the spread of the infection.
Kumar said the administration had been reviewing and monitoring dengue cases over the past several months through fogging, source reduction activities and awareness campaigns. He also maintained that dengue testing was provided free of cost.
However, this claim was disputed by residents who reportedly said they had paid between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 for tests, depending on the investigations prescribed on their medical cards, raising concerns over the accessibility and cost of testing.
According to figures presented by the district administration, fogging had been carried out at 1,817 households and 15 active relief camps. Source reduction teams had also covered 2,445 households and inspected 29,632 containers in active locations, primarily under the Tuibong and Churachandpur subdivisions.
The Medical Superintendent of Churachandpur District Hospital reportedly stated that nine deaths had occurred in connection with the outbreak.
However, when asked about the exact number of people infected with dengue, the CMO and DMO were unable to provide a definitive figure during the briefing.
Independent sources cited that the estimated number of positive cases could exceed 7,000, with at least 12 dengue-related deaths reported, although these figures could not be independently verified. Concerns were also raised over possible deaths involving patients with underlying health conditions who had also contracted dengue.
The official figures presented at the briefing appeared not to account for all deaths that residents and independent sources attributed to the infection, particularly cases involving patients who had not been officially recorded as dengue-related deaths by government hospitals.
Independent sources further indicated that the district had been recording more than 100 positive cases daily, although this figure could not be independently confirmed.
Meanwhile, residents have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the reach of fogging operations, while some claim that the exercise has not reached their own localities.
The concerns highlight the need for clearer and regularly updated data on dengue infections and deaths, alongside effective ground-level control measures, accessible testing and sustained public awareness efforts across Churachandpur district.