Malaria stalks tribal village in Jharkhand

Kukudpaat (Jharkhand), July 30 (ANI): Malaria has claimed the lives of 20 tribals in Kukudpaat village in Jharkhand.

20 Nagesia tribals have died of malaria in the last 20 days. A lack of proper drinking water and dirty surroundings aided the spread of malaria amongst the villagers.

The villagers drink water from a waterfall after collecting it in a tank, an active breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"We are drinking water from a waterfall as there is no proper drinking water facility in the village. Because of that there has been an outbreak of malaria here," said Budhan Nagesia, a villager.

Devoid of roads and other communication means, the villagers don't visit a hospital or a doctor.

As result of which the number of malaria cases has been on the rise.

"So far 89 cases of plasmodium falciparum malaria have been reported. We are treating them and they are somewhat better," said MK Das, National Institute Malaria Research Centre, Ranchi.

Ignorance and deep-rooted ancient beliefs also add to the problem.

"I tell them to keep their surroundings clean but they don't listen and take offence. When I tell them to boil water before drinking they refuse saying they are habitual of drinking fresh water and not stored water," said Anima Tigya, a village nurse. (ANI)