The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Sharp increase in malaria cases

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 25, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Sharp increase in malaria cases

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, SEPT.24. There is a sharp increase in the prevalence of malaria in the city, according to statistics tabled at the general body of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC). There was a 70 per cent increase in the number of cases when compared to the number of cases last year. According to statistics provided by the Chief Medical Officer, 3,774 registered malaria cases were registered in the municipal corporation limits till the end of August this calendar year, compared to 2,241 in the corresponding period in 2003 and 2,251 in 2002.

The statistics show that there had been a marked reduction in incidence of malaria since 2000. Malaria prevailed in epidemic proportions with the registration of 7,558 cases in 2000 with 5,577 cases being registered by the end of August. While 7,023 of the patients were victims of ordinary malaria in the year, 535 patients suffered the potentially fatal (PF) malaria.

The prevalence of the disease gradually came down over the last few years purportedly due to comparatively dry weather. From 7,558 cases in 2000, the number dropped to 5,231 in 2001 and 4,128 in 2002. However, the number of cases increased the subsequent year to 4,769 despite continuation in the dry spell.

`Lack of coordination'

The increase in the number of cases is being attributed to a change in the priorities of the city administrators. Though no changes were made in the deployment of manpower for anti-larval and mosquito control activities, the lack of coordination in applying the various chemicals has resulted in an increase in the mosquito menace and also in the incidence of Malaria, which is vector-borne.

Another reason being cited for the increase in malaria cases was the lack of coordination between the VMC and district Malaria eradication Department. The proliferation of slums in the city and the lack of definite schemes to provide civic amenities to families dwelling in them was being cited as yet another reason for the increase in the number of Malaria cases, this year. The reduced sensitivity of the Municipal Corporation to the health of citizen's living in slum following the mass retrenchment of health workers was being seen as a contributory factor also.

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