Editor,
Apropos the news item” MCS Officers esprit de corps dead” (ST November 30, 2011), it is no surprise to many as to why the MCS officers have not shown any solidarity towards their fellow officer. It is a known fact that there is cut-throat competition amongst many of the senior officers for plum postings. The President of the Association himself now hovers between Kolkata and Shillong. It is also known that some MCS officers will even pull the rug from under the feet of their colleagues to suit their ends. If the leadership does not lead by example then one cannot expect any spirit of camaraderie amongst the officers. The belated rally around the abducted BDO is only an eyewash.
Yours etc.,
Phrangsngi Marbaniang,
Via email
Scrub Typhus
Editor,
Apropos the news item “Scrub typhus claims 12 lives in Meghalaya” (ST November 30, 2011). I would like to share some information with those who are concerned with the disease which was treated like Malaria prior to 2004 due to ignorance and no proper studies. According to Marina E Eremeeva & Gregory A Dasch of the Center of Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, USA, Scrub typhus is endemic in northern Japan, South East Asia, the Western Pacific Islands, Eastern Australia, maritime areas and several parts of South-Central Russia, India and Sri Lanka. More than one million cases occur annually. According to them no vaccine or drugs are available for preventing rickettsial infections. The best preventive is to minimise exposure to infectious arthropods (particularly lice, fleas, ticks and mites) and animal reservoirs particularly dogs and cats, when travelling in endemic areas. Proper use of insect repellents, self-examination after visits to vector-infested areas, and wearing protective clothing are ways to reduce the risk.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
