Over 32,000 people in Chhattisgarh suffered from malaria in the first three months this year. (Representational Image)
Over 32,000 people in Chhattisgarh suffered from malaria in the first three months this year, prompting the state government to draft an action plan to get rid of the disease by 2030.
"As many as 32,604 cases of malaria, both critical and normal, were reported in the state from January 1 to March 31 this year," a health department statement released today said. Of these, 26,602 cases of malaria were caused by Plasmodium Falciparum protozoan, which is more virulent, while 6,000 were caused by Plasmodium Vivax.
The health department is working to get rid of the disease completely by 2030 and an action plan is being drafted for the same, the release said.
The malaria caused by Plasmodium Falciparum is more dangerous and results in most deaths, it said.
Further, keeping in view the forthcoming rainy season during which malaria cases may rise, officials concerned have been instructed to take necessary measures for prevention and treatment of the disease, the release said.
Health workers have been provided with RDT kit (for malaria testing) and anti-malaria drugs in sufficient quantity to diagnose and start the treatment for the disease, it added. In 21 hyper-sensitive malaria-affected districts, insecticides were sprayed in 15 lakh homes, it said.
The public health engineering department, panchayat raj institutions and urban development bodies have been directed to work in coordination to ensure water purification, cleaning of drainages and public places.
Special attention should be paid to hygiene of the tanks and pipelines, the release said.