MPI should not be termed hysteria as hysteria is a disease, but people affected by MPI suffer from symptoms, which could be controlled easily, he said at a consultative meeting.

Directorate General of Health Services and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) organised the meeting in the city for civil surgeons, principals and directors of medical colleges on how to stop outbreaks of MPI.

Several issues such as orientation on MPI in relation with epidemiology, outbreak response, clinical management and exchange of news for further actions by health service providers and academicians were discussed at the meeting.

The speakers said an outbreak of MPI is a time of anxiety and worry. The illness can be aggravated by other symptoms such as diarrhoea, malnutrition and lack of tolerance.

Mostly girl students aged between 13 and 25 fell victim to the outbreaks MPI recently, but the symptoms do not have long term effect, they said, adding that everybody should work together to stop panic among the people.

The health adviser called on the media to disseminate more information about MPI to dispel wrong notions.

Referring to the flood situation, Matiur said water-borne diseases might break out within a short time. Necessary steps should be taken up to tackle such situation, he said, adding that the government is ready to tackle the aftermath of the floods.

Director of IEDCR Prof Moazzem Hossain, Prof Mahmudur Rahman, Director General of Health Services Shahjahan Biswas and Additional Director General Prof Hosne Ara Tahmin also spoke at the inaugural session.