Delhi witnesses first malaria death in 5 years

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Delhi has witnessed its first malaria death in the last five years with a 30-year-old man becoming the victim of the vector-borne disease.

Praveen Sharma, a resident of east Delhi, was admitted to the Max super specialty hospital in east Delhi following high fever and weakness. Tests conducted at the hospital confirmed malaria.

Sharma, who initially underwent treatment at the Max hospital, was referred to the Safdarjung Hospital after his condition deteriorated couple of days later.

The patient was kept in the Intensive Care Unit after being shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital.

According to the doctors, Sharma succumbed to the disease on Sunday night even after undergoing proper medication.

"On the very first day itself, the hospital confirmed that my son was suffering from malaria. Doctors tried but could not save him," Praveen's father Rewati Prasad Sharma told IANS.

According to website of National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), no death has occurred due to malaria in Delhi in five years from 2012 till July.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said the number of malaria cases was constantly rising here. At least 19 malaria cases have been reported in Delhi this season till September 3.

(With IANS inputs)