IMPHAL, Aug 17 : Out of 46 blood samples tested yesterday, four were found positive of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) taking the total number of positive cases to 39.
Of the four persons found positive for JE yesterday, two belong to Churachandpur, one to Sadar Hills and one to Wangjing, Thoubal district.
Taking serious note of the outbreak of JE in the State, the Health Directorate has taken up a slew of preventive as well as containment measures including awareness programmes.
Ultra-low volume fogging exercises have also been carried out within 1 to 1.5 Km radius of the areas where positive JE cases have been detected. Anti-mosquito chemicals have also been sprayed in these areas.
However, in some cases Larvicide (anti-mosquito chemical) was sprayed where it was not necessary.
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, State Nodal Officer Dr L Gojendro said that Larvicide is a chemical for terminating growth of mosquito larvae.
As Culex species of mosquito which is said to be a carrier of JE virus usually lays eggs in stagnant water like paddy fields, Larvicide should be sprayed in paddy fields. As such, spraying Larvicide at random places would not be effective enough, Dr Gojendro said.
