Health authorities in Manipur’s Ukhrul district have raised alarms over a sharp and continuous surge in typhoid fever infections, with district hospital records indicating a multi-fold increase in cases over the past three months.
According to data released by the Ukhrul District Hospital, laboratory-confirmed infections have climbed steeply since the beginning of summer. In June, the hospital recorded 156 positive cases, a number that inched up to 175 in July. However, August saw a dramatic spike, with positive cases surging to 375.
Hospital admissions for severe cases have mirrored this upward trend. The facility admitted 11 typhoid patients in June, 29 in July, and 28 in August. As of September 18, another 16 patients had been hospitalized for the infection this month. Fortunately, health officials confirmed that no deaths have been reported so far.
District health authorities have pointed to systemic infrastructure and sanitation challenges as the primary drivers behind the outbreak. Officials warn that the sharp rise in infections is largely being fueled by the lack of a reliable supply of clean, potable drinking water for the public, compounded by deficiencies in personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness.
Typhoid is a water-borne bacterial disease that spreads primarily through the consumption of contaminated food and water.
In response to the growing caseload, the health department has issued an urgent advisory urging residents to strictly adhere to preventive measures to curb transmission. Officials have advised the public to consume only boiled water and thoroughly cooked food—preferably hot, steaming home-cooked meals—while strictly avoiding food sold openly on the street where hygiene standards are doubtful.
Residents have also been cautioned against consuming raw vegetables and salads that may have been washed in contaminated water. Furthermore, health officials emphasized that frequent handwashing with soap and clean water—particularly before eating and after using the restroom—remains a critical defense in interrupting the spread of the disease.
As the monsoon season continues, health officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report symptoms such as sustained fever, headache, and fatigue to the nearest medical facility immediately.
