Labours stricken with mystery disease

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) March 24. — Nearly 12 Malda labourers, who have returned from Jharkhand recently, are reported to be suffering from an “unknown” disease at the Malda district hospital. One of the labourers, suffering from the same disease, died a few days back, officials said today. As per the information derived from the chief medical officer’s unit, the patients admitted in the district hospital are suffering from a high fever, coupled with the problem of blood discharge through their noses. “The condition of the labourers is still undiagnosed. I have sent the health officials to collect more information on the patient’s history,” Dr Gopal Sarkar, the Malda CMOH, said. “As the area they have just returned from is Amrapara in Jharkhand, there is a possibility that the labourers may be suffering from either malaria or kala-ajar”, the CMOH said. It was reported that some 10 days ago, a group of labourers of Lakshmipur village in Kaliachak III returned home, when they fell ill at Amrapara in Jharkahand.Some of the labourers were admitted at the local block health centre and transferred to the district hospital when their condition worsened. The block medical officer of health, Bedrabad health centre in Kaliachak III, reported to the CMOH today that three such labourers had been admitted to the health centre with high fever history and one of them had been suffering from the blood discharge through the nose. The BMOH immediately referred them to the district hospital. Later, other labourers suffering from the same problem were admitted to the district hospital directly. The CMOH was also informed that one of the labourers undergoing treatment, died in the district hospital.