SHILLONG, OCT 13 : Meghalaya has registered over 44 cases of dengue and one related death over the past few days, Health and Family Welfare minister, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh said on Friday.

She said most of the dengue cases were reported from the plain belts of the Garo Hills region.

Lyngdoh said 44 dengue cases were detected after 139 fever cases were tested from October 3 till October 12.

“On Thursday, seven persons were tested of which only two positive cases were indicated. We also lost one person due to brain hemorrhage caused by dengue,” Lyngdoh added.

She said the deceased was a male patient and was symptomatic as he was suffering from a very high fever.

“The health department is taking steps to contain dengue and we are able to contain as whoever contacted dengue has been given the correct protocol treatment as required,” she said.

Moreover, she said that necessary steps have been taken and the health department is engaging actively with the municipal board and with block development officers to ensure necessary combat is immediately rolled out.

“We are procuring some more kits as districts are indicating requirements of additional kits. Therefore, department is already on the job,” she said.

Urging the public not to panic, the health minister said, “Do not be unnecessarily alarmed but as citizens we must remember that we must take necessary precautions. SOPs have already been indicated in the common dengue areas and the only thing is if you have a prolong fever for many days kindly go to the nearest health facility, it could be a PHC, CHC, sub-divisional hospital or a tertiary care centre like civil hospital in various parts of the state.”(UNI)