Categories: Health

July 14, 2024 Malaria resurgence in Rayagada district, Odisha, India.

July 14, 2024

Rayagada district in the state Odisha, Indiawhich was declared “malaria-free” in 2018 is again reporting cases among students.

So far, over 400 students from around 50 educational institutions, most of which come under the SC/ST department, have tested positive for the disease. Sixteen students are undergoing treatment at the district hospital, while 11 others have been admitted to Muniguda, Kolnar and Kalyansinghpur hospitals. Besides, over 30 affected students have been admitted to SLN Medical College and Hospital, Koraput, and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.

Blood samples of over 2,000 students were tested, of which 400 tested positive for the disease. The affected students are from Kereda High School, Bilesu High School and Anwesha Hostel in Rayagada block. Though cases have been detected from all blocks in the district, the majority (190) are from Muniguda. Regular testing of students is being carried out in various schools.

Malaria usually occurs during the rainy season and is aggravated by poor sanitation and an unhealthy environment. Although students were encouraged to use mosquito nets, a lack of malaria testing equipment made testing difficult.

Rayagada, a malaria-prone district, lacks adequate healthcare and safe drinking water. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the district hospital does not have a dedicated malaria unit, so patients are admitted to the general medical ward.

Despite referring patients to two medical colleges and hospitals, there is a shortage of beds at the district hospital as evidenced by the fact that several patients are being treated locally.

Since April 2024, several cases of malaria have been reported from Niyamgiri Hill in Muniguda Block but preventive measures have not been taken yet.

Malaria India

More information about malaria in India

2023 year. Odisha was the state reporting the highest number of cases (41,971 and 4 deaths), followed by Chhattisgarh (31,713), Jharkhand (31,140), West Bengal (26,493), Tripura (22,412), Maharashtra (16,164) and Uttar Pradesh (13,585). The annual parasite index (API), which fell to 0.52 in 2022, increased to 0.93.

2022 year. Estimated cases: 3,389,400; Estimated deaths: 5,511 (Source: WHO).
2018: There have been 844,558 cases and 194 deaths registered.
2017 year: 1,090,724 cases of malaria and 331 deaths were reported. 12% of the population lived in areas with high transmission
year 2014: The districts with the highest number of malaria cases in the country from January to June 2014 were: Odisha, Chhattisgarh 13% of the country’s malaria cases (38,781 cases); Jharkhand (26,588 cases), Madhya Pradesh (18,793 cases) and Tripura (13,375 cases). An increase in cases was reported from Mangalore (a low-risk city): 5,000 cases up to July 2014.
2013: The distribution of malaria cases in the country in the first months of 2013 was as follows: 89,466 cases in Orissa; Chhattisgarh 31,940 cases; Jharkhand 26,489 cases; Maharashtra 17,060 cases; and smaller numbers in Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.