In midst of Covid-19 pandemic, Assam records 100 cases of Malaria

The Covid-19 pandemic has already killed 4 people in Assam and infected almost 2,000 persons
In midst of Covid-19 pandemic, Assam records 100 cases of Malaria

Guwahati: Even as Assam continues to feel the pangs of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on our civilization, an old foe, Malaria, has surfaced again and infected at least 100 people from Assam across several districts.

Dr. Harpal Singh Suri, the Joint Director Cum SPO of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) informed The Sentinel Digital that community surveillance is already underway and awareness programmes are being kickstarted in several parts of the state. "This year, the number of cases is 100. At the same point of time last year, there were 175 cases and 1 death was also reported.  Till yesterday, Kokrajhar had reported 29 cases, Udalguri 25, Chirang 9, and Cachar 7. In Karbi Anglong's two districts combined, 9 cases have been reported so far, while 2 cases have also been detected in the hills of Dima Hasao", he told us.

Authorities including the Guwahati Municipal Corporation are continuing with fogging operations meant to disinfect to mosquito breeding grounds. The Centre, meanwhile, has cleared Rs 21 Lakh to fight malaria and the money has been disbursed to the districts so that they can ramp up their preparations.

It is pertinent to mention here that these cases have come to the fore at a time when the state's health department is already encumbered with the burden of having to deal with the coronavirus that has affected close to 2,000 persons across Assam.

The uptick in the number of Malaria cases has been reported in the aftermath of the first wave of flash floods in Assam that has already claimed 10 lives, primarily in Goalpara district. According to the state Disaster Management authority's daily bulletin, floodwaters have started receding since May 28 as the rains have lessened or stopped altogether in several parts of the state.

According to the latest figures, 1,44,322 persons across the 4 districts of Goalpara, Nagaon, Hojai, and Cachar are still affected by the floods. Goalpara remains the worst-hit district with 1,16,049 persons still feeling the adverse effects of the floods. Floods are a yearly affair in Assam, and around the same time, the state also reels under the double whammy of malaria and Japanese Encephalitis cases.

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