New malaria type poses health concerns

Source: Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, April 7 – An emerging threat can put at risk a large population in Assam. According to recent scientific findings, a new type of malaria has shown great resistance to the most effective of medications. This is of particular concern to the State’s healthcare providers as the site of occurrence is the not so distant Thailand-Myanmarborder.

Experts say that the malaria outbreak of a similar nature was first noticed in Cambodia in 2006 and 2007, indicating that the disease can travel a considerable distance from its point of origin.

According to experts, who have monitored the situation, the ‘rise of resistance means the effort to eliminate malaria is seriously compromised’. So far malaria has been combated by artemisinin drugs, derived mainly from Artemisia annua, a Chinese plant. Recent findings suggest that the Plasmodium falciparum parasites infecting people in the Thailand Myanmar border are growing more resistant to the drugs.

Malaria has been a perennial problem for people in some districts of Assam and some other areas of the Northeast. Although the State Health Department has taken steps to reduce its incidence, malarial deaths continue to be a matter of concern.

In 2009, according to NRHM data, a total of 91,413 malaria cases were detected, which in the previous year was 83,939. The rise has been attributed to better screening across the State. Epidemiological data on malaria in 2010 was also worrying with 62,146 cases being recorded till October that year.

Surveys carried out on the incidence of malaria have identified several high risk areas. At present, Karbi Anglong, NC Hills, Goalpara, Hailakandi, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts continue to show high occurrence of the disease.

The State Health Department’s response to the disease has been multi-pronged, including efforts to screen, prevent and treat it in a more focused way. However, according to doctors, efforts have been stymied by delayed reporting of cases and failure in making people become aware of the seriousness of the threat.