Malaria claims 39 lives in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 13 (UNI) At least 39 people have died of Malaria in Asom in the past few weeks even as special anti-malaria team of doctors and paramedics have rushed to the affected areas to combat the mosquito-borne disease.

According to the health department souress while 34 people have died in Lakhimpur, four in Golaghat and one in Sonitpur district.

A control room was set up in the secretariat building to monitor the development of the epidemic.

However, the actual figure was likely to be more than 70, as the official toll took into account only those deaths that occurred in the government hospitals of three districts.

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 areas were Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts.

In the Golaghat, malaria has reached near epidemic form.

The health authorities have made blood examination compulsory for all those suffering from fever, besides ensuring distribution of choloroquinine tablets.

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