ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Sep 25: At a time when the West Siang DA is grappling with the mounting pressure of rising COVID cases, detection of four new confirmed cases of Scrub Typhus (a mite borne non-communicable disease) in remote Nikte village under Kodum Circle has added to the woes of the district’s health department.
The disease caught the attention of the DMO following a viral WhatsApp message in which Dr. D. Ete, MO i/c PHC Nikte reported that a male child aged 7 years has been found positive for Scrub Typhus in Nikte village. Acting on the message, a team of doctors from Nikte PHC was sent to trace down the child and support his parents. Meeting the father, the team learnt that the child's condition is stable and he is at Aalo. Meanwhile, the visiting team gave necessary awareness to the youths and elders of Hu-rik, Hu-moli, Igo-yami and Igo-kato villages about the infection.
A total of 5 scrub typhus cases have been officially recorded in West Siang so far in the current year, out of which 2 were detected in July, 2 in August and 1 in September. The total number of cases will increase to 9 after inclusion of these 4 new cases at Nikte, District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr. Moli Riba informed. Dr. Riba clarified that the 5 cases detected between July-September were also uploaded in the integrated disease surveillance program ( IDSP ) portal and the 4 new cases are yet to be officially reported to the district surveillance team Aalo by PHC Nikte. The DMO stated that he could only confirm if the cases were of scrub typhus by conducting  Eliza test of samples as the patient was found positive through an antigen test conducted at a private clinic. “We will collect the samples and send them to Dibrugarh for Eliza test for confirmation,” the DMO said. 
As per available officials record, more than 283 samples of suspected cases of Scrub Typhus were collected in 2016-17, out of which 185 tested positive in tests conducted at ICMR Dibrugarh. “The same has been reported to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) portal who later notified the disease as local endemic disease prevalent in West Siang,” the DMO said. The available data of 5 positive patients found this year show that the disease is not confined to any particular area as cases have been reported from different geographical locations such as Pessing, Bagra, Old Market, Pigi Moli and Ori (Eshi).

 “The disease is curable and drugs to treat it are available in the district. If anyone experiences suspected symptoms after being bitten by a mite he/she should seek medical attention without delay for early treatment,” he advised. "Complication of untreated Scrub Typhus could lead to multiple organ failure and in the later stage, it is difficult to cure the disease," DMO warned, citing the case of two people succumbing to the disease at Tirbin in Lepa Rada.
“The concerned  Medical Officer has been given necessary instructions to intensify awareness on the diseases in areas where cases have been reported. I have called a meeting with DSO, DTO and Medical Superintending Officer (MSO) to draw out strategies to prevent the spread,” DMO informed.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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