By Sandeep Mishra
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 21: Malaria has become a cause of concern for health officials.
The number of malaria deaths in the state has gone up from 61 at the end of October to a whopping 74 at the end of November, an increase of 13, according to the latest health department statistics,
The worst affected was tribal-dominated Sundergarh, which has recorded eight deaths. Kalahandi, Bolangir and Angul have recorded as many as six deaths each. Health experts had earlier predicted that if the situation persists, the state will register a record number of deaths because of malaria. This has been proved right with the figures for one more month yet to be taken into account.
The health department report revealed that till November various health institutions across the state have tested about 59 lakh blood samples of which about four lakh malaria positive cases were found. The state is currently recording deaths at a rate of 6.9 against 4.5 last year.
Interestingly, the districts that have recorded less dengue deaths this year have been the worst affected by malaria. The tribal dominated districts have escaped the wrath of aedes mosquito this time, the anopheles mosquito has made life worse.
“Hygiene and sanitation are the biggest factors for controlling any vector borne disease. For this, public sensitization is needed along with a proactive role of voluntary organizations. The people in the state might have been sensitized about dengue but education on malaria lags behind,” said a health expert on the condition of anonymity.
Health experts believe that people in tribal-dominated areas often prefer traditional treatment, which has bad consequences. “This results in high mortality in tribal-dominated areas,” said an expert.