With over 2000 cases, malaria grips villages in Bijapur district now

RAIPUR: Over 2000 individuals, including women, children, and the elderly, have tested positive for malaria in the tribal villages of Bijapur district in Bastar region. In response, the health department has intensified its efforts, conducting a massive screening of at least 2 lakh people.

Other districts, including the capital city Raipur and Bilaspur, are also witnessing an increase in patients diagnosed with diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea.

From this extensive screening, 2071 people have tested positive for malaria. The majority of cases are emerging from rural areas, where medical staff are actively engaged in investigation and treatment under the collector's instructions, according to a health official.

Samples were collected from schools, residential ashrams, and rural areas, with 1090 cases among school and residential school children and 981 among villagers.

CMHO Dr. B.R. Pujari reported that malaria screening is being conducted using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits. The department has an adequate supply of these kits, ensuring smooth testing operations.

So far, 1,96,028 villagers and 24,076 school residential ashram children have been tested. Dr. Pujari also noted that 77 per cent of the district has been covered with malaria medicine spraying.

A total of 237 health staff teams, each comprising three members, are conducting malaria tests from village to village. Most malaria cases have been found in Gangaluur and Usur of Bijapur block, and villages across the Indravati river in Bhairamgarh block.

Due to the remote and inaccessible nature of these areas, health staff face challenges in carrying out screenings.

Additionally, seasonal diseases have created havoc in other districts, with over 50 patients being admitted to government hospitals with complaints of cold and cough.

Many clinics are experiencing all-day queues of patients. According to doctors, this year's viral fever is linked to a new variant, making the infection harder to control. Normally, viral fever includes cold and cough symptoms, but this variant also causes diarrhea, leading to a recovery time of 5 to 6 days. The highly contagious nature of this variant means that if one family member is infected, others around them are likely to contract it within two to three days, leading to entire families being affected.

Dr. Yogendra Malhotra, professor of medicine at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Hospital, noted that this year's viral fever is markedly different from the usual strains. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. He explained that viral strains typically undergo genetic changes every five years, and this new variant is significantly different. Over the past two weeks, the number of viral fever cases has surged. Dr. Malhotra emphasized the importance of taking precautions both at home and outside to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

A new 10-bed epidemic ward has been established at CIMS Medical College hospital in Bilaspur to treat serious cases of malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, as patients complaining about diseases are approaching hospitals on a daily basis now.