Aizawl, 25 April (UNI): Seventeen people died of malaria during 2015-16 compared to 31 in 2014-15.
According to official reports, Mamit has topped in malaria deaths with five people falling victims to the killer disease, followed by Lunglei and Aizawl West districts with four and three deaths respectively. No malaria death was reported from Saiha district during this period.
The remaining districts- Aizawl East, Kolasib, Champhai, Lawngtlai and Serchhip have witnessed one death each. Of the 3,02,942 blood samples tested during 2015-16, 26,400 cases of malaria were detected of which 22,599 were pf and 3,801 were pv. Doctors said pf is more deadly than pv.
In 2014-15, a total of 3,30,882 blood samples (more than 30 per cent of the state's population) were tested in which 23,105 were found to be positive for malaria, including 21,083 pf and 2,062 pv. Of these, 31 people died, mainly due to negligence on the part of the patients that resulted in delayed treatment.
The health department has set up FTD/ASHA in all towns and villages to help malaria patients get treatment on time.
Of the six vector borne disease common in India, namely- malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis- only malaria and dengue have been detected in Mizoram. Out of these 6 diseases, malaria is the most dreadful and widespread in Mizoram.
During 2013-2014, roughly 20 people out of every 100 population were tested for malaria parasite using either rapid diagnostic kit or blood slide. Total positive case was 11,747 i.e., 10 in 1,000 population. The number of both blood tested and positive case have increased from the previous year due to increase surveillance and improved case detection.
In the meantime, the number of death due to malaria has come down, it has reduced from 119 deaths in 2009 to just 21 in 2013. Also there were seven confirmed cases of dengue in 2013 with 0 death report, no confirmed cases have been reported this year.
For the 9th time, the world malaria day was observed in Mizoram today with the main observation at vanapa hall in Aizawl which was attended by health minister Lal Thanzara.
In his address, Lal Thanzara said as the state vector borne diseases control programme alone cannot defeat Malaria, active community participation is required to eradicate the killer disease in the state. The people should make use of the FTD/ASHA set up in all villages and towns where malaria treatment is available.
Doctors said delayed treatment is the major cause of malaria deaths in Mizoram.UNI