Dengue surge in Manipur: Linking public health with environmental responsibility
|
Dr Th Manimala Devi
The sharp rise in dengue cases across Manipur this year has once again reminded us that public health cannot be separated from environmental care. Dengue, which was once a seasonal concern, has turned into a recurring challenge that now affects almost every household in some way. Each monsoon brings fresh anxiety to families across Imphal and the surrounding districts as hospital beds fill with fever cases and the familiar hum of the mosquito becomes a shared worry. By late October 2025 Manipur had recorded 3,334 confirmed dengue cases with the district of Imphal West alone accounting for 2,323 of those cases highlighting how unevenly the burden falls across the state. That figure is a serious escalation compared to recent years: the state logged 2,548 cases in 2023 with no deaths and 2,463 in 2024 with five deaths according to national surveillance data. The data underscores a shift meaning dengue is no longer contained to a few dense wards yet it has spread into peri-urban and rural zones and local health systems are feeling the pressure. The disease’s spread is closely tied to shifting climate patterns, weak drainage and gaps in waste management. Construction debris, old tyres, flowerpots and unused water containers that collect rain become breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti the mosquito that transmits dengue. What makes the issue more complex is that this mosquito breeds even in clean water, a neglected tray, a loosely covered tank or a clogged gutter can become a hotspot. Urban growth in many parts of Manipur has raced ahead of civic infrastructure. Roads are paved but drainage remains under-funded. Plastic waste sits longer than it should and rainwater pools in small cavities for days. Once mosquitoes establish in a neighbourhood the virus spreads rapidly through human movement and proximity. Behind those statistics lie daily realities of economic stress and health vulnerability. For many lower-income households the diagnosis itself becomes a financial concern. In the private sector NS1 antigen tests or combined antibody panels are approximately in the price range of between ¹ 300 and ¹ 1,500. Several households with multiple suspected cases admitted that expenses slowed their decision to test early. Delay in diagnosis can mean more severe disease and greater costs later. The financial strain adds another layer to the physical suffering showing that health inequality deepens during an outbreak.
Public hospitals in Manipur deserve genuine appreciation for stepping in to reduce this burden. Government institutions such as the regional medical centers and district health centers have provided dengue testing either free of cost or at very minimal rates. Their early response has meant that diagnosis is accessible to many who might otherwise hesitate because of cost concerns. Their contribution underscores how a public health system supported by the state can protect vulnerable households. The work of health workers conducting fogging drives, house-to-house inspections and community outreach often goes unnoticed yet remains critical to bridging the gap between policy and community reality. However, hospitals are just one axis of the fight against dengue. Real control happens at homes and in neighbourhoods. Simple, consistent actions break the mosquito’s breeding cycle. Fogging in higher-risk areas is helpful but its impact improves dramatically when households cooperate by opening windows and doors during operations so that insecticide reaches indoor corners where mosquitoes hide. Larvicides applied in drains, construction pits and water tanks can prevent larvae maturing into adult mosquitoes but such measures must be backed by residents’ understanding and participation. Households can also perform straightforward but important routines: emptying and cleaning water storage containers every few days, tightly covering overhead tanks, cleaning roof gutters and plant trays regularly. A single neglected container can affect an entire lane of houses. Community groups, youth clubs and local NGOs can declare a weekly ‘dry day’ when neighbours inspect their premises together. This turns cleaning into a shared commitment and builds momentum towards prevention.
‘Proper waste disposal and drainage maintenance are equally vital. Tyres, plastic bottles, coconut shells and discarded cups often hold small puddles of water that feed mosquito breeding. Households should separate dry and wet waste and ensure that materials are not left in open drains or uncollected piles. Municipal authorities must ensure drains are cleared regularly especially ahead of the rainy season and respond swiftly to reports of water-logging. Schools, markets and construction sites should maintain logs of inspection and cleaning so that accountability becomes visible and residents stay informed. Awareness and early response remain one of the most effective defenses. Recognizing the earl
Symptoms of dengue such as persistent fever, headache, muscle pain, eye pain and the appearance of a rash and seeking medical attention promptly can mitigate the risk of complications. Avoiding self-medication is important because inappropriate medicines can increase bleeding risk. Schools can reinforce awareness among students who in turn influence family behaviour. Workplaces and institutions can support by keeping simple health kits with ORS, thermometers and first-aid supplies ready and by spreading reminder messages during the high-risk season. Government-led initiatives have already made measurable impact: regular fogging drives, larvicide distribution and free or subsidised testing services underscore a strong administrative response. But these efforts succeed only when the community stands with them. Ward committees, resident associations and youth networks can map high-risk zones, monitor stagnant-water spots and assist municipal teams. When citizens and officials act in coordination outbreaks are managed more effectively and panic is replaced by collective confidence. The surge in dengue cases across Manipur is therefore more than a health statistic; it is a signal that our relationship with the environment requires urgent attention. Mosquitoes thrive where sanitation fails. Clean surroundings, responsible water storage and active waste management are our strongest shields. Thanks to the efforts of public health institutions, many households now have access to timely testing but the real victory will come when prevention becomes ordinary behaviour. Each cleaned drain, each covered container and each engaged citizen strengthens the shield of public health. Dengue is no longer just a seasonal illness in Manipur however it has become a test of civic discipline and environmental responsibility. If we continue to work together with awareness and determination, Manipur can show how coordinated action supported by sound public health policy and simple environmental habits can turn crisis into lasting change.
The writer is Assistant Professor at Department of Environmental Science, SEMCO, Komlathabi
The sharp rise in dengue cases across Manipur this year has once again reminded us that public health cannot be separated from environmental care. Dengue, which was once a seasonal concern, has turned into a recurring challenge that now affects almost every household in some way. Each monsoon brings fresh anxiety to families across Imphal and the surrounding districts as hospital beds fill with fever cases and the familiar hum of the mosquito becomes a shared worry. By late October 2025 Manipur had recorded 3,334 confirmed dengue cases with the district of Imphal West alone accounting for 2,323 of those cases highlighting how unevenly the burden falls across the state. That figure is a serious escalation compared to recent years: the state logged 2,548 cases in 2023 with no deaths and 2,463 in 2024 with five deaths according to national surveillance data. The data underscores a shift meaning dengue is no longer contained to a few dense wards yet it has spread into peri-urban and rural zones and local health systems are feeling the pressure. The disease’s spread is closely tied to shifting climate patterns, weak drainage and gaps in waste management. Construction debris, old tyres, flowerpots and unused water containers that collect rain become breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti the mosquito that transmits dengue. What makes the issue more complex is that this mosquito breeds even in clean water, a neglected tray, a loosely covered tank or a clogged gutter can become a hotspot. Urban growth in many parts of Manipur has raced ahead of civic infrastructure. Roads are paved but drainage remains under-funded. Plastic waste sits longer than it should and rainwater pools in small cavities for days. Once mosquitoes establish in a neighbourhood the virus spreads rapidly through human movement and proximity. Behind those statistics lie daily realities of economic stress and health vulnerability. For many lower-income households the diagnosis itself becomes a financial concern. In the private sector NS1 antigen tests or combined antibody panels are approximately in the price range of between ¹ 300 and ¹ 1,500. Several households with multiple suspected cases admitted that expenses slowed their decision to test early. Delay in diagnosis can mean more severe disease and greater costs later. The financial strain adds another layer to the physical suffering showing that health inequality deepens during an outbreak.
Public hospitals in Manipur deserve genuine appreciation for stepping in to reduce this burden. Government institutions such as the regional medical centers and district health centers have provided dengue testing either free of cost or at very minimal rates. Their early response has meant that diagnosis is accessible to many who might otherwise hesitate because of cost concerns. Their contribution underscores how a public health system supported by the state can protect vulnerable households. The work of health workers conducting fogging drives, house-to-house inspections and community outreach often goes unnoticed yet remains critical to bridging the gap between policy and community reality. However, hospitals are just one axis of the fight against dengue. Real control happens at homes and in neighbourhoods. Simple, consistent actions break the mosquito’s breeding cycle. Fogging in higher-risk areas is helpful but its impact improves dramatically when households cooperate by opening windows and doors during operations so that insecticide reaches indoor corners where mosquitoes hide. Larvicides applied in drains, construction pits and water tanks can prevent larvae maturing into adult mosquitoes but such measures must be backed by residents’ understanding and participation. Households can also perform straightforward but important routines: emptying and cleaning water storage containers every few days, tightly covering overhead tanks, cleaning roof gutters and plant trays regularly. A single neglected container can affect an entire lane of houses. Community groups, youth clubs and local NGOs can declare a weekly ‘dry day’ when neighbours inspect their premises together. This turns cleaning into a shared commitment and builds momentum towards prevention.
‘Proper waste disposal and drainage maintenance are equally vital. Tyres, plastic bottles, coconut shells and discarded cups often hold small puddles of water that feed mosquito breeding. Households should separate dry and wet waste and ensure that materials are not left in open drains or uncollected piles. Municipal authorities must ensure drains are cleared regularly especially ahead of the rainy season and respond swiftly to reports of water-logging. Schools, markets and construction sites should maintain logs of inspection and cleaning so that accountability becomes visible and residents stay informed. Awareness and early response remain one of the most effective defenses. Recognizing the earl
Symptoms of dengue such as persistent fever, headache, muscle pain, eye pain and the appearance of a rash and seeking medical attention promptly can mitigate the risk of complications. Avoiding self-medication is important because inappropriate medicines can increase bleeding risk. Schools can reinforce awareness among students who in turn influence family behaviour. Workplaces and institutions can support by keeping simple health kits with ORS, thermometers and first-aid supplies ready and by spreading reminder messages during the high-risk season. Government-led initiatives have already made measurable impact: regular fogging drives, larvicide distribution and free or subsidised testing services underscore a strong administrative response. But these efforts succeed only when the community stands with them. Ward committees, resident associations and youth networks can map high-risk zones, monitor stagnant-water spots and assist municipal teams. When citizens and officials act in coordination outbreaks are managed more effectively and panic is replaced by collective confidence. The surge in dengue cases across Manipur is therefore more than a health statistic; it is a signal that our relationship with the environment requires urgent attention. Mosquitoes thrive where sanitation fails. Clean surroundings, responsible water storage and active waste management are our strongest shields. Thanks to the efforts of public health institutions, many households now have access to timely testing but the real victory will come when prevention becomes ordinary behaviour. Each cleaned drain, each covered container and each engaged citizen strengthens the shield of public health. Dengue is no longer just a seasonal illness in Manipur however it has become a test of civic discipline and environmental responsibility. If we continue to work together with awareness and determination, Manipur can show how coordinated action supported by sound public health policy and simple environmental habits can turn crisis into lasting change.
The writer is Assistant Professor at Department of Environmental Science, SEMCO, Komlathabi