30 people die as malaria spreads in Siliguri

     Naxalbari (West Bengal): At least 30 people have died in Siliguri district of West Bengal due to an outbreak of malaria. More than 10,000 people in Naxalbari, Kalaguri and Hatighisha villages have been affected by the deadly disease. In Naxalbari alone, hundreds of patients have been admitted to the block hospital. The hospitals had got overcrowded and lack of beds forced patients to lie on the floor. Doctors, while admitting malaria deaths, said that they were unable to declare it officially as most of the cases did not have a blood sample test. "Yes, people have died. I am not denying that. But most of the patients do not have any reports of blood sample test. So, officially we cannot declare it to be malaria or something else," said Amit Dutta, a medical officer in the block hospital. However, due to lack of place in hospitals, some of the villagers were receiving treatment at their homes. "I was suffering from high fever. I also had a headache along with a body ache since the last five-six days, and when I visited doctor, he said I was suffering malaria and prescribed me certain medicines. Now I am better," said Bipin Sharma, a patient. Meanwhile, authorities along with voluntary organisations have undertaken several steps to contain the spread of the epidemic. They have been spraying insecticides in drains apart from door- to-door awareness campaign among villagers.
-Oct 20, 2005

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