Malaria positivity in Gadchiroli falls to 0.32%, with no deaths in August and September

Gadchiroli: The district administration says preventive work by the health department has brought malaria in Gadchiroli largely under control, Pudhari reported. Between January and September this year, the share of positive malaria tests fell from 0.49% to 0.32%, and the number of cases dropped from 6,411 last year to 3,940.

In those nine months, 12,19,783 tests were carried out: 5,07,675 blood smears examined under the microscope and 7,12,108 rapid diagnostic tests. The annual parasite incidence fell from 6.42 last year to 4.62. Six malaria deaths were recorded up to the end of July this year, but none in August or September.

To curb mosquitoes, insecticide was sprayed in 1,60,956 homes in 1,195 high-risk villages, and 1,16,372 insecticide-treated nets were handed out. In the district's 150 ashram schools, 39,663 students were screened and the 371 found infected were treated. The 566 patients who completed their treatment received ₹500 each, ₹2,83,000 in all, as compensation for lost wages.

Zilla parishad chief executive officer Suhas Gade and collector Avishyant Panda praised the health staff's work. The health department has urged people to use mosquito nets, keep water from collecting around their homes, get a blood test as soon as they have a fever and complete the treatment.

Source: Pudhari