Malaria claims 27 lives

Guwahati, Apr 13: Malaria has so far killed 27 people in the past few weeks in Asom, forcing the government to call an emergency meeting today to review the situation.

Senior health officials confirmed the death of 27 persons but the actual figure was likely to be more than 70, as the official toll took into account only those deaths that occurred in government hospitals.

During this period every year, before the onset of monsoon, Malaria is quite common in Asom, especially in the North bank where this time too the disease has acquired epidemic proportions.

The worst affected are Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts. In the Golaghat district, Malaria has reached an epidemic stage.

Health authorities has made blood examination compulsory for all those suffering from fever, besides ensuring distribution of Choloroquine tablet.

UNI