E-Paper
Deadly forms of malaria hit rural areas
MALARIA in its two most deadly forms has hit rural Allahabad. What is more alarming is that the two most fatal malaria species, plasmodium falciparum (PF) and plasmodium (PV) has started getting reported from malaria non-endemic areas like Soraon, Mauaima, Baharia and Nari Bari. The patients in these areas are found suffering from 'mixed infection' of PF and PV.
MALARIA in its two most deadly forms has hit rural Allahabad. What is more alarming is that the two most fatal malaria species, plasmodium falciparum (PF) and plasmodium (PV) has started getting reported from malaria non-endemic areas like Soraon, Mauaima, Baharia and Nari Bari.
The patients in these areas are found suffering from 'mixed infection' of PF and PV.
In a startling report prepared by a prominent nursing homes in George Town, as many as 12 patients suffering from mixed PF and PV malaria infection were reported from September 1 to 12. At least half of them were serious and due to delay in diagnosis the infection ascended into brain causing fatal cerebral malaria.
These patients included Kunjbehari son of Chiraunjilal of Taulhan tehsil in MP (found both PF and PV positive), Usha Devi of Bhaggasar village Koraon (PF and PV positive), Gulab of Nari Bari (PF and PV positive), Harinand Singh of Hardiha village of Gara (PF and PV positive), Imtiyaz of Mahewa village of Kunda Pratapgarh district (PF positive), Ramrati of Lohgara village Shankargarh (PV positive), Narain of Bharatganj (PF and PV positive), Shreepati of Koraon (PV positive) and children of Ramsingh of Gara village Koraon, Punam (PV and PF positive) and Pradeep (PF positive), Dashrath Kumar (PF and PV positive) son of Kamal of Gara village Koraon and Amrit Lal (PF and PV positive) of Manpur village Koraon.
The Elisa test was conducted on all of them to identify the malarial infection.
The doctors treating them informed that due to delay in treatment the infection ascended into brain leading to a life-threatening condition in many patients.
Sources at the hospital also said that the slides of these patients were also sent to the district malaria department for verification and quick action.
Former chief medical officer Dr Nisar Ahmed said they were witnessing increasing incidence of two most deadly species of malaria in non-endemic regions like Soraon, Mauaima and Baharia. The serious malaria patients were also coming from different parts of the city.
"Of the four species of malaria, P Falciparum is the most widespread and dangerous form. If untreated it can lead to fatal cerebral malaria. The parasite has an incubation period of 5 to 12 days. Similarly P Vivax infection can sometimes lead to life-threatening rupture of the spleen. The mixed infections are getting reported.
The high mortality in these cases is probably related to delayed diagnosis and treatment due to lack of awareness among the general public as well as doctors," he added.
