State saying bye-bye to Malaria
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 29 2013 : The death rate in the State due to Malaria has reduced considerably during the last couple of years with zero death recorded since 2012.In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao, Dr Asem Ibochouba, State Malaria Officer, stated that in 2012, 255 cases of Malaria were detected in Manipur.

Out of these 83 cases were confirmed as P Falciparum Malaria and 172 as P Vivex Malaria.

However, no death cases were recorded that year.

He further informed that this year from January to May, the number of malaria cases detected were 34.Out of these, 9 have been confirmed as P Falciparum Malaria while 25 as P Vivex Malaria.

During these 5 months (from January to May), no death cases from Malaria have been reported.

Dr Ibocouba went on to inform that the districts where cases of Malaria have been detected in the State included Tamenglong (five cases), Churachandpur (five cases), Imphal East including Jiribam sub-divisions (17 cases), Chandel (2 cases) and one each in Imphal West and Thoubal.

No case of Malaria was detected in Ukhrul, Senapati and Bishnupur districts.

Dr Ibochouba observed that the death rate due to Malaria has drastically reduced during the last couple of years following continuous effort of the Malaria Department.

As of now, there is some shortage of medicines.

However, the required medicines are on the way from Delhi and the consignment would reach Imphal in a day or two.

Reminding the old proverb "Prevention is better than cure", the State Malaria Officer cautioned the public that May, June, July and August are the months when Malaria is normally spread widely, and advised them to take up preventive measures.

"The Drainage system should be properly maintained and see that it is not blocked.

Mosquito nets should be used at home and even in places where cows, pigs and other domestic animals are kept", he added.

Explaining the symptoms of malaria, Dr Ibochouba said that a person suffering from Malaria generally has fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea may also occur.

However, slight fever should not be taken as sign of malarial infection and resort to taking medicines without proper investigation.

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