As far as security details go, mine is pretty unflappable. They are seldom fazed by unruly crowds or post-conflict hotspots. But travelling in East Africa one day last year, I stepped into a swarm of mosquitoes. From the expressions on their faces, I realised that close protection was no match for this unarmed threat the size of a speck. Malaria is a relentless killer. In the time it takes to read this article, six more children will die of the disease. Each year, as many as half a billion people catch malaria. More than a million die.

Nearly 120 people have been diagnosed with malaria in the last 10 months in Bardiya district alone. Organizing a press meet here on Thursday, Dr Guna Raj Lohani, the medical superintendent at Bardiya Hospital said that 11 patients were suffering from fatal malaria called plasmodium falciparum. "Hundred-and-five other patients are suffering from plasmodium vivax, considered less dangerous than falciparum," he added. An official however, claimed that the number of fatal plasmodium falciparum patients had been gradually decreasing in the district.

Health authorities have taken prompt action to stall the spread of Chikungunya in Eheliyagoda on the instructions of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, a ministry spokesman said. The attention of the Minister had been drawn to the sharp increase of the new cases of Chikungunya reported from the Ratnapura district in the last few days, he said. Blood tests carried out by a medical team sent to Ratnapura on Monday have detected 75 new Chikungunya cases and measures were taken to provide the patients immediate hospital treatment.

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken steps to control Chickungunya now spreading in Kuruwita, Kiriella and Eheliyagoda DS divisions in the Ratnapura district, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. He said the Ministry has implemented an action plan under the direction of Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and deployed a special team of doctors to the affected areas. Over 75 blood samples were collected from the suspected patients. The Ministry has already supplied required drugs to the Eheliyagoda hospital.

One hundred and forty five dengue cases have been reported from Colombo this year, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Colombo, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said.

Even as rising cases of meningococcal meningitis continue to haunt the State, malaria too has taken its toll mostly in border areas. The West Khasi Hills district of the State that detected one suspected case of meningitis so far is fighting the seasonal malaria, surfacing through the migrant population, stagnant waters in coal and charcoal deposits.

The Health Ministry has provided mosquito nets to residents in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts where Chikungunya, Malaria and Dengue are prevalent. Health sector sources state that the mosquito population is on the increase due to global warming and monsoon rains. A number of people affected by Chikungunya and Malaria have been reported from these areas. Over 15,463 dengue patients were reported in 2004 with 88 deaths reported while 28 deaths were reported in 2005.

Brazil Troops Start Anti-Dengue Foot Patrols BRAZIL: April 9, 2008 RIO DE JANEIRO - Hundreds of Brazilian soldiers swapped ammunition packs for yellow bags of mosquito larvicide on Tuesday, taking the battle against a deadly dengue fever epidemic to the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease has killed 68 people in the state of Rio, most of them in its capital -- a major tourism destination.

Climate Change A Factor In Deaths From Disease - WHO PHILIPPINES: April 8, 2008 MANILA - Climate change is one of the factors causing an increase in the incidence of diseases like malaria and dengue fever, the World Health Organisation said on Monday. At least 150,000 more people are dying each year of malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition and floods, all of which can be traced to climate change, said Shigeru Omi, the head of the WHO's Western Pacific office. More than half of those deaths are in Asia, Omi told reporters.

Awareness vital to combat malaria SHAHID RAO RAWALPINDI - Integrated awareness programme is vital to eradicate malaria because this disease has no boundaries and the residents of malaria-free areas, too, are falling victim to this dreadful disease. Pakistan Green Task Force President Dr Jamal Nasir said while addressing a seminar held here under the auspices of Federal Malaria Control Programme(FMCP). Eminent doctors, medical students, representatives of civil societies, members of Pakistan Green Task Force and people from all walks of life attended the seminar.

Pages