Deaths belie Malda officials' claim on epidemics

Deaths belie Malda officials' claim on epidemics
Statesman News Service MALDA. Oct. 2. — With three more deaths owing to meningoencephalitis and encephalitis the death toll has reached 45 in the Malda District Hospital affecting over 3,683 people in this district since 30 August, health officials said today. Authorities said the dengue and encephalitis menace is under control in English Bazaar town but the situation is bad in the rural belts. Pratima Kisku (4), Suparna Sarkar (9) and Madhumita Niyogi (6) residents of Habibpur, Bamongola and Old Malda have died of meningoencephalitis and viral encephalitis in last 36 hours, the Malda CMOH said. "Out of 45 patients, most of them died of viral encephalitis," Dr Gopal Sarkar , the Malda CMOH said. The condition of an eight-year old patient suffering from viral encephalitis, resident of Kaliachak III is serious and will die very soon," Dr Sarkar said. "Patients are mostly suffering from typhoid, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, viral encephalitis and malaria," said the CMOH. According to him, many patients are also suffering from water borne typhoid. "We need to take steps to check such new menace. The PHE officials will also be approached to look in to the matter seriously." Today around 42 patients suffering from high fever were admitted to the district hospital and same number of patients were admitted to the block hospitals. Around 292 odd patients are being treated in the Malda District Hospital today and around 67 odd patients similarly treated in the block health centres. Many of them have been admitted with dengue symptoms, informed the CMOH. The CMOH added that the the death toll was 217 in September 2002, 208 in September 2003, in 2004 the death toll was 240 but in September 2005 the death toll is 290. Apparently 50 more patients have died this year in comparison with other years' records.