Malaria claims 48 lives in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 21 (UNI) At least 48 people have died of Malaria in several districts in Asom, official sources said here today.

The state health department had collected 2,41,210 blood samples between January to April 18 and out of which 6691 were found positive.

The presumptive and radical treatment were provided to all, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the state government had initiated necessary steps to control the spread of the disease.

The overall situaion has been constantly monitored by the Chief Minister, the Health Minister and the chief secretary besides officials of the health department.

A state control room had been set up at the office of the director of health services here.

State Health Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman, Additional Chief Secretary C K Das and Additional Director of Health Services Dr M M Das had visited the affected areas like Lakhmpur, Golaghat and Sonitpur districts to assess the situation, the sources said.

A team from the central government with the World Health Organisation (WHO) consultants and Indian Institute of Hygine and Public Health had also visited the affected districts.

Team from Assam Medical collge and Dibruarh and Guwahati medical colleges are working in these areas, the sources said.

Adequate quantity of anti-malaria drugs were rushed to the affeced areas. The medicines had been supplied from government medical stores depot (GMSD) here.

Around 369 DDT spraying squads had been deployed in the affected districts and 309 more squads were put into service immediately, sources added.

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