Malaria Deaths Still On Rise in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 15 : Malaria remains the biggest killer disease in Mizoram with at least 29 people falling victim to the vector-borne disease during January to September this year, compared to 11 deaths during the corresponding period last year.

According to official reports, Lawngtlai district has topped in malaria deaths with 10 people getting killed this year, while Lunglei and Mamit considered malaria-prone districts, have witnessed only two deaths each. Serchhip, also considered malaria-prone district, recorded three deaths.

One malaria death has been reported from Kolasib and Champhai districts each. During this year, 13,8,846 blood samples have been tested of which 6,929 were found to be positive for malaria.

From January till December last year, 31 people succumbed to the killer disease, as compared to the counts 199 in 2009 and 99 in 2008.

According to the record of State Vector-Borne Diseases Control Programme (SVBDCP) of the 322929 blood samples tested during last year, 15,130 were found to be positive with malaria, of which 14,189 were malaria pf, more deadly than malaria pv. As many as 15,099 malaria patients were cured.

According to the death investigation report of the health department, most of the malarial deaths happened due to negligence on the part of the patients that led to delayed treatment.

The health department has set up FTD/ASHA in all towns and villages to help malaria patients get treatment on time. The decline of malaria deaths in Champhai and Kolasib has been attributed to the high percentage of households sprayed with DDT.