Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110260480700.htm

National

Awareness drive against malaria stepped up

Staff Reporter

KOLKATA: Authorities at the city’s civic body — Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) – have asked city residents not to panic despite the spread of dengue and malignant malaria to new areas as “the situation is under control.”

With an increasing number of dengue and malignant malaria cases being reported from all across the city, KMC authorities also announced undertaking of awareness campaigns in all the 141 wards under the Corporation in the coming days.

“The KMC authorities will launch extensive awareness campaigns from November 1 through medical camps, leaflets, posters and hoardings. Campaigns through radio and television will also be undertaken,” Subodh Dey, mayor-in-council (health) of KMC, said here on Friday.

According to KMC records till Friday, 26,000 malignant malaria cases and 85 dengue cases have been found positive.

The diseases had claimed three lives each in the last two months, Dr. Dey claimed.

He added: “There have been reports of deaths due to ‘mystery fever’ which common people is attributing to dengue or malaria, but the KMC cannot confirm them until running a check on the cases.”

Citing last two years’ official figures of people affected with dengue and malignant malaria (dengue — 394 in 2006 and 30 in 2007, malignant malaria — 54,705 in 2006 and 31,577 in 2007), Dr. Dey said that the situation was better this year.

Dr. Dey also said that the State Health department and the KMC authorities have decided to work in close association to avoid controversy regarding the number of deaths as well as people affected due to the twin diseases.

“Orders have been sent to all private hospitals and laboratories within the city to report to the KMC any positive case of dengue or malignant malaria found,” he said.