The Hindu 08.10.2010
Mosquito menace still continues
Staff Reporter
| Adequate number of nets not supplied |
2,746 malaria positive cases have been reported
Bhadrachalam accounts for maximum number of cases
KHAMMAM: People living in the remote areas, particularly the tribals in Bhadrachalam agency, are deprived of adequate number of mosquito nets especially the Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) at a time when they most needed it in the aftermath of the recent flood devastation that made them vulnerable to various vector-borne diseases.
The mosquitoes continued to take a toll on the public health system with several persons falling prey to vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue in the last couple of months in the district.
According to official records, a total of 2,746 malaria positive cases have been reported in the district so far. Off this, Tulasipaka Primary Health Centre in Bhadrachalam division accounted for the maximum number of 564 malaria positive cases.
Notwithstanding an indent placed by the District Malaria Control wing for sanction of over one lakh mosquito nets about a year ago, the nets, the vital tools in prevention of malaria, are yet to reach the district till date, according to sources. When contacted, District Malaria Officer S. Bikshapathi, who took over as the head of the district malaria control wing recently, told The Hindu that anti-mosquito operations like indoor residual spraying were conducted in 512 villages as part of the first phase so far in the district. “We have laid focus on prevention as well as anti-larva operations to check the vector-borne diseases,” he said.
Four persons died of malaria in Chintur, Manugur and Pinapaka mandals so far.
