Malaria claims 41 lives in Tripura

Malaria has assumed epidemic proportions in large parts of Tripura, as at least 41 people including 31 children have died of the disease in the past fortnight, state Health Minister Badal Chowdhury said today.
"At least 41 people including 31 children have died of malaria which assumed epidemic proportions and at least 22,000 people have been infected by malaria virus in the tribal dominated localities of Dhalai, Gomti, Khowai, North Tripura and South Tripura districts," Chowdhury told reporters.
A team of malaria experts led by Awadesh Kumar was dispatched today by the Union Health and Family Welfare ministry for supervision of controlling of the disease. The team suggested for use of second generation of medicines.

Another team would be sent by the ministry which would be led by the regional director for malaria, Satyajit Sen, Choudhury said.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar yesterday reviewed the situation with the ministers and high officials and directed the administration to take all possible measures to control the disease.
The Health department has organised 653 health camps in different parts of the state to control the disease so far.