Mysterious disease hits 200 villagers in Manipur

Imphal: At least 200 people, among them women and children, from a village in Manipur have been hospitalised with a mysterious disease, officials said on Monday.

The villagers from Lilong Chingjao in Thoubal district have been admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, and other private hospitals in Imphal.

The patients are suffering from high fever and vomiting, besides loose motions, doctors said.

Though the condition of some of them is said to be serious, there has been no death so far.

Doctors told IANS that the disease will have to be identified properly, but declined to speak further.

Many patients were seen lying on the floors, in the corridors and near the wards, because of non-availability of beds in the government hospitals.

Hospital sources said everything possible was being done to give relief to these patients.

Some patients told IANS that the health department needs to do something on a war-footing to contain the outbreak of the disease.

Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing was informed about the disease, and is said to be in constant touch with health officials over the issue.