Steps taken to combat viral diseases in Nagaland

KOHIMA, August 5: The Nagaland health and family welfare minister, Neiba Ndang, today said that the government had taken every step to combat and prevent the epidemic outbreak of viral diseases along with malaria, typhoid, hepatitis and gastroenteritis in the state. Ndang told newspersons that in all 650 people died so far. Of them 470 had died in Mon, 120 in Mokokchung, 50 in Kohima and 10 in Tuensang district. Figures from Dimapur and some other affected areas were awaited and the toll might go up, he said. Ndang, who recently toured Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, visited some health centres and hospitals to take stock of the situation. He, however, said there might be shortage of medicines in some health centres due to poor communication facilities. The worst-affected areas are entire Mon district, Changki, Longnak, Longsa, Asangma, Tuli and Mangmentung areas of Mokokchung district, Poilwa area of Kohima district, Peren, Jalukie, Viphoma and Nuiland areas of Dimapur district.