The person is identified as Lunganliu, 18, daughter of Dinreiyang of Bhalok (Phalong) village, some 11 kilometres from district HQs, and died at district hospital on August 5 after she was severely sick with PF malaria positive that attacked her brain.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, the chief medical officer of Tamenglong said that some pockets of plasmodium falciparum malaria positive cases were found in many malaria prone areas like Inem village, Taningjam, Mandeu, Phalong and Tuichamphai village in Tousem sub-division and in Sempang village at Tamenglong block.
“Most common malaria is Plasmodium Vivax (PV) but the most dangerous is plasmodium falciparum malaria, as this PF usually attacks the cerebral area and if not treated in time the person will die,” the official said. Though many malaria positive cases of plasmodium falciparum are found, the ASHA members and multiple health workers in the villages are fighting effectively, he said.
The chief medical officer advised specially the villagers to use mosquitoes repellants, and mosquito nets in the house and even in the fields while sleeping and he urged not to keep any water near the house.
He also advised the general public to report immediately to the nearest health facility if they suffer from any fever.
In the meantime, the District Malaria Officer, Dr. Gunamani said that the department is taking necessary steps to fight against the dreadful disease.
According to the DMO, it is recorded that in 2006 as many as 1,125 patients were infected with malaria and out which 260 patients alone were PF malaria positive cases. In 2007, as many as 311 patients were infected with malaria out which 73 patients were PF malaria positive cases. And in 2008, as many as 123 patients were recorded with malaria out of which 18 patients were PF malaria positive cases but there were no deaths reported in the last three years, he said.
In the month of July 2009, as many as 16 patients were admitted at the district hospital out which four patients were said to be PF malaria positive cases. And as many as six patients were admitted at the district hospital out of which two patients are PF malaria positive cases upto August 9.
In order to fight the dreadful disease, the district malaria department has carried our Early Diagnosis and Prompt Treatment and ITBN with the help of ASHA members and multiple health workers in the villages.
The department also carried out two rounds of DDT spraying in 28 villages of malaria prone areas. He said that the department had also undertaken IEC at some selected villages.