2 migrant labourers die of malaria in Manikchak

MALDA, April 2: Two migrant workers have died of malaria in Manikchak Block. Several migrant workers are still suffering from malaria in Manikchak villages. Eight of the victims’ blood samples have tested positive for malignant malaria. According to the chief medical officer of health, Malda, Dr R R Banik, a total of 29 workers had been to Raisanga in Orissa in search of jobs on 10 February and returned home on 29 March with high fever. One of the victims died in Malda hospital and another one died at home on Monday, the CMOH said.The dead are Sheikh Rahun (47), resident of Mirapur village and Amar Sheikh (26), resident of Sheikhpura village in Manikchak Block. According to the health officials, Amar Sheikh's relatives had been advised to admit the victim to hospital for treatment, which was ignored. The women family members of Amar Sheikh are also suffering from high fever. “Primarily officials of the malaria department tested the blood of five of the victims of which, three samples tested positive. Today, the health officials tested blood samples of five other workers and all them tested positive for malignanat malaria,” the CMOH, said.At present, five of the victims are undergoing treatment at the Manikchak rural hospital. All of the 29 migrant workers and their family members have been kept under surveillance to ensure the disease does not spread to other areas.Top health officials of the district including the deputy CMOH II, Dr D Haldar visited Mirapur and Sheikhpura villages to examine the victims today. n sns