State targets to curb malaria by 2021
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 31 2019:
The State is targeting to curb malaria by 2021, said experts at advocacy meeting of the media personnel on prevention and control of vector borne diseases at Mini Conference Hall, IMA, Lamphelpat, Imphal yesterday.
During the technical session of the meeting, Dr Thangpa Serto, SPO Manipur said that malaria, which was once feared as a deadly disease, is now treated successfully with early diagnosis as medical science developed.
There were 255 cases of malaria in 2012 in the State.
But the number of cases has dropped drastically in the last three years with zero cases, he said.
World Health Organisation is targeting to eradicate/curb malaria in India by 2030.But the State is aiming to curb the disease nine years earlier than the target set by the WHO for whole of India, he said.
After steps taken up by the Government of India, the number of cases of death due to malaria was significantly reduced and the year 1965 recorded no death cases.
The measures taken up were somewhat relaxed afterwards and later in 1977 the death toll increases again forcing the Government to strengthen its measures, said Thangpa Serto.
He advised people to take up precaution and preventive measures to counter malaria.
People upon returning from visiting other States should take extra care if they get cold and fever, he said.
If experiencing high fever, they should visit the nearest hospital for early diagnosis, he added.
He also advised people to use mosquito net while sleeping and remove and clean water bodies around their houses.
Care must be taken and remove water logged in and around houses to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, he said.
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is preventable and curable.
In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries.
The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 435 000 in 2017, according to WHO.
Symptoms are chills, fever and sweating, usually occurring a few weeks after being bitten by infected mosquito.