Nineteen people die from suspected malaria in Jalpaiguri

Siliguri, Nov 5 (UNI) At least eight people have died and over 200 fell ill from suspected malaria in the past two weeks at remote Magalkata Tea Estate in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, official sources and NGOs said.

The viral fever has gripped the workers line of the tea garden since October 20, the villagers and family members of the victims claimed.

They alleged although the local administration and health department had been informed about the malady, but a government medical team visited the areas on Saturday (yesterday) evening.

The team examined the blood samples of the sick people and detected 197 positive cases of malaria.

Chief Medical Officer of Health of Jalpaiguri Dr Bhusan Chakraborty told UNI that the medical team was examining the blood samples and the situation was now quite under control.

However, he said he was not aware of death due to malaria.

After the death of eight people in past 15 days, panic also gripped in the neighbouring Dhupguri block in Jalpaiguri.

UNI XC PC DB1736