Claiming that the vector borne diseases are limited mostly to construction sites, the State Task Force on vector borne diseases, which held its maiden meeting today decided to focus on eliminating the diseases from the State. Addressing a press conference, after chairing the meeting of State Task Force Health Secretary Anand Prakash stated that though the diseases cannot be eradicated completely it can be controlled.

About 19 people died of Malaria and more than 100 people were admitted to different hospitals in the last 14 days in Tripura, official sources today said. Mungiakami block under Taliamura subdivison of West Tripura district was the worst affected with nine deaths reported from there so far. However, a health worker in Teliamura primary health centre said there was nothing to worry as the centre has adequate medicines to cope up with the situation.

The building construction activity which is going on at brisk pace in the twin industrial township of Pimpri-Chinchwad continues to pose health problems for residents. In last four months, as many as 51 citizens have been affected malaria. Another unnerving fact for citizens is that dengue cases, which are common after the rains, have also come to light. As many as 19 citizens have received treatment for dengue in different hospitals in last four months.

Mosquito menace continues to frustrate people in the Rajshahi city in the absence of any drive during the past three months. The Rajshahi City Corporation has not yet taken any initiative to protect the dwellers from mosquito hazards because of fund constraints.

MIDNAPORE: It seems the Midnapore West district authorities have not taken adequate measures in combating malaria in Belpahari, a high malaria-risk zone in the district.

Over 2,000 families in three areas in the Ratnapura district have been affected by Chikungunya while 500 patients with fever sought treatment at the Eheliyagoda hospital last Thursday, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. The Ministry also warned of possible outbreaks of diseases like dengue, malaria and filaria following the rains the country is experiencing. He said the Ministry has made arrangements to control the outbreak under the direction of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Even as the Capital sweltered under severe heat conditions, city doctors cautioned about the downside of quick weather changes. Sudden change in temperature and humidity, doctors say, can be dangerous as the weather is conducive for mosquito breeding and other vector-borne diseases (diseases that spread through breeding of mosquitoes or other insects) to spread. Incidents of cholera, typhoid, jaundice and gastric problems also shoot up during this time of the year.

Malaria caused by the deadly plasmodium falciparum parasite is becoming common in India. Even though the number of malaria cases have declined from 30 lakh in 1996 to 16 lakh in 2006, infections caused by plasmodium falciparum have increased from 38% to nearly 50%.