Mystery epidemic fell one in Moreh, doctors puzzled

Imphal, June 16: An unidentified disease is on the prowl in Moreh Township, and has already claimed the life of one Manipur police personnel posted at the Moreh police station. Speaking to IFP over the telephone, officials at the Moreh police station confirmed that several people have fallen sick due to the disease all over Moreh town in the last three days or so, but doctors at the Moreh community health centre have had no success in diagnosing it. While the Moreh CHC has no blood testing facility, the various private clinics at Moreh that do have such facilities have not been able to determine whether the disease is malaria or encephalitis. The officials said the major symptoms are headaches, fever and dehydration. Most of the people suffering from the disease have been referred to hospitals in Imphal, they added. The Moreh police has informed the state health services of the seeming epidemic, the officials also added. In the meantime, the police personnel who expired at RIMS hospital this evening is identified as Md Riyajuddin, 35, of Huyel Labuk in Thoubal district. Reports said he had contracted the disease in Moreh, and had been admitted to RIMS hospital this afternoon itself at around 2:30 pm. Doctors at RIMS said the disease is suspected to be either cerebral fever or encephalitis, as the blood samples of the deceased patient does not show any evidence of the presence of malaria. The doctors disclosed that the patient was admitted in conscious and coherent condition this afternoon, but soon after developed convulsions accompanied by an acute drop in blood pressure. He was also in an incoherent state towards the end and expired while the doctors were still administering 5% dextrose. The doctors added that there were some cases of malaria in Moreh town as at least two patients from Moreh had been diagnosed to be suffering from malaria at the RIMS hospital. One such patient was discharged today.