Measures to check malaria in Malda

MALDA, April 3: The Malda health department has identified a total of 18 migrant labourers out of the 58 who are suffering from malignant malaria in Manikchak Block over the past few days, Dr D Haldar, deputy chief medical officer ~ II, malaria department in Malda said today. “Two of the total migrant labourers have died of malignant malaria a few days ago after returning from Orrisa. At present six serious patients suffering from the disease are undergoing treatment at Manikchak health centre”, Dr Haldar said.“We are concerned about the large number of migrant labourers in Malda who are suffering from not only malaria but also kala-ajar and HIV/AIDS. We have sent a detail report to the government as they are acting as carriers of these disesaes,” Dr Haldar said. After a thorough survey it was found that a total of 58 labourers went to Orrisa in search of jobs and were taken ill with high fever on 29 March. The Malda CMOH, Dr Radha Raman Banik said: “The health workers have started collecting blood samples of the neighbours of malaria patients and family members from today in the villages of Manikchak Block.“The health workers have started disinfecting the affected villages by spraying DDT in order to check the spread of the disease in the area. “The malaria department has provided medicine to the patients whose blood samples have tested positive for malaria and those who are staying at home.”The health officials today launched a special drive to spread awareness among the people to control the disease in the affected villages in Manikchak Block. n sns