Q. What is the current status of the epidemic?

A. The epidemic has been contained. As of the 28th of April, there have been two deaths caused by the disease and a number of cases have been reported. Though reports of infections are still coming in, there have been no further deaths. Also the number of reported cases is gradually decreasing day by day.

Q. Do you think that the state would have been prepared if the epidemic had broken out in full force?

A. Yes, I think the state would have been prepared. Doctors and other medical staff have been trained in the methods of combating this disease. Even now training programmes are being conducted in the various districts. Also, the vaccine has been administered to those doctors and medical staff who are treating the patients suffering from this disease to prevent infection. We can not vaccinate everybody because of the lack of supply of the vaccine so we vaccinate only those who are in close contact with the patients suffering from the disease, and those living in the highly infected areas.

Q. The Chemoprofylaxis that people are using to prevent the disease is reportedly used for treating the disease and not for prevention, what is the correct drug and method of prevention?

A. That is not true. The drug can be used both for prevention and treatment. It can be taken by the family members of the patients who are suffering from the disease as a preventive measure. I would however not advise people to take the drug without the instructions of a proper medical doctor.

Q. Are there any side effects of using this drug?

A. Any drug is basically a poison. It is not part of the human system. This particular drug is no exception.

Q. It was reported that the state is importing a large quantity of medicines to combat this disease. If the epidemic is contained, what happens to the excess medicines?

A. You must not misunderstand the term ‘large quantity’ here. When we ordered the medicines, it is not that we ordered more than what is needed. First we decided on the quantity that will be needed and then we ordered the medicines. All the medicines that we have received have been distributed to the different districts of the state and are being used. Also, the drug Chemoprofylaxis is not specifically for this disease. It can be used to cure other diseases too. So if there is any surplus, this can be used to combat other diseases. So there is no wastage.

Q. Blood samples of the suspected cases were sent to Delhi for confirmation. Was it not possible to conduct the tests here? What about NEIGRIHMS?
A. Initially, when the disease first started, we were not prepared as we had little experience with the disease. Therefore, as is the norm, we sent the data to New Delhi for confirmation. After this, a team from New Delhi came here to assess the situation. Now we are able to conduct these tests ourselves. Just the other day, the Director of NEIGRIHMS informed us that NEIGRIHMS is willing and able to help us in conducting the confirmation tests of suspected cases of this disease.
Q. Jaintia Hills is reported to be the worst hit area, what is the situation like now in that area?
A. As I stated before, the epidemic has been, to a large extent contained. Till date, there have been no more reports of deaths caused by this disease and the number of patients suffering from this disease is decreasing day by day.