Tripura with no dengue death records 16 malaria deaths in 2015

Agartala: With not a single case of dengue death reported in Tripura, 16 people have died of malaria in the state till August end this year, state health minister Badal Chowdhury said today.

Releasing statistical data, the health minister said this year up to August 31, altogether 22,562 malaria patients have been identified out of which 16 died. Last year, 51,240 malaria patients had been identified of which 96 had died, he said.

Though there was no causality from dengue so far, it is emerging as a threat in the hilly and tribal-dominated areas of the state, the minister said.

"Eight cases of dengue were detected in 2013, six were diagnosed in 2014 and 15 have been diagnosed as dengue patients this year till August 31, out of which four carriers of the dengue virus had come from outside. But no casualty has been reported from dengue so far," he said.

Meanwhile, twenty-two persons affected by Japanese encephalitis have been identified this year, out of which four persons have died, he said.

No new case of Japanese encephalitis has been reported after June 27 this year, the health minister said.

Criticising the central government for allocation of meagre funds, Chowdhury said the state was fully prepared to fight the danger of dengue and Japanese Encephalitis.

"We are fogging identified spots to kill mosquitoes and an awareness campaign is on to prevent outbreak of dengue," the minister said.

The state health department has organised 5,263 health camps for mass treatment of patients, especially in the interior areas of the state.

"We are also involving school, panchayat, village committees and other bodies in the fight against the diseases by creating awareness besides distributing free medicine and other treatment aids. Central bodies like Indian Medical Research Institute (IMRI) and Central Institute of Vector-Borne diseases are also helping us," he said.

Medicated mosquito nets have been distributed besides spraying DDT to kill mosquitoes and vaccination for preventing japanese encephalitis has been completed.

"Altogether 2,65,492 babies in the age group of 1-15 have been vaccinated already and more are being done," he said.