Malaria toll reaches 56 in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 21 (UNI) At least 56 people have died of malaria in different districts of Asom.

Informing this at a press meet here today, joint director of the public health department Jatindra Mohan Bora said 56 deaths have been confirmed till yesterday.

''The state health department had collected 2,68,440 blood samples for tests, out of which 7479 were found positive,'' he said.

Stating that presumptive and radical treatment were provided to all, Mr Bora said spraying of DDT was being undertaken throughout the state and 31,344 people and 141 villages had been covered so far.

However, this figure was in areas from where specific cases of malaria had been reported. Other preventive measures were being taken across the state, he said.

The joint director said of the worst hit districts of Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Sonitpur, Goalpara, Morigaon and Baska, the situation in most places was under control now.

Fresh cases were being reported only from Lakhimpur, he added.

Meanwhile, the overall situation was being 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.

Health Minister Bhumidhar Barman, Additional Chief Secretary C K Das and Additional Director of health services M M Das had visited the affected areas like Lakhimpur, Golaghat and Sonitpur.

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.

Teams from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati Medical College were working in these areas, he said.

Adequate quantity of anti-malaria drugs were rushed to the affeced areas.

UNI SG PL KLC1638