Malaria Case: Six cases of malaria before monsoon

Gautam Buddha: Although monsoon is still a month away, six cases of malaria have been reported in Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The district health department said on Friday that the department is gearing up to prevent the spread of the disease. According to information received from the Gautam Buddha Nagar Health Department, six cases of malaria have been reported in the district between January and May this year. District Malaria Officer (DMO) Dr. Shruti Verma said, “Only two cases of malaria were reported in the same period last year, but six cases have been reported this year.” The department has issued an advisory appealing people to be alert to health complications and get tested in case of high fever.

Issuing an advisory in this regard, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sunil Sharma said that people should keep an eye on the breeding of mosquitoes around them and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the disease. Apart from this, patients with mild symptoms of fever and pregnant women have also been advised to compulsorily get their blood samples tested for the disease. “June is observed as the National Malaria Prevention Month every year when the health department gears up to tackle the threat of malaria, making every effort to prevent the disease before the monsoon arrives. All possible steps are being taken and necessary guidelines are being issued for its prevention,” Verma said. “There is an increase in malaria screening/checks in people and especially pregnant women in June. It has been observed that a sudden increase in malaria cases is seen in the month of July with the advent of monsoon.” Notably, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are the two common strains of malaria virus. “Out of the two malaria viruses, patients with Plasmodium falciparum are considered more severe, however, this strain is seen very rarely – most patients in Gautam Buddh Nagar are affected by Plasmodium vivax. This particular virus does not require hospitalisation,” Verma said.