While our neighbouring island country Sri lanka is celebrating Malaria-free tag awarded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) three days ago, New Delhi is breeding plasmodium vivax, one of the five species of malaria parasites, according to scientists at National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR). However, the NIMR said that the parasite breeding is confined to a localised area, Mandawali, where two malaria deaths have been reported.
After a gap of five years, the first malaria death occurred in Mandawali in July but was confirmed by South Delhi Municipal Corporation — the body responsible for managing the statistics of vector-borne diseases — on Wednesday, September 7. Vivax malaria took another victim on Sunday. At least 19 malaria cases have been reported in Delhi this season till September 3.
NIMR Director Neena Valecha told The Pioneer, “A team of scientists from NIMR had visited East Delhi’s Mandawali and fogging drive was conducted. Since the deceased had no travel history, the plasmodium vivax is likely to be local vector circulating in that particular region.”
Scientists said plasmodium vivax is less virulent than plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest of the five malaria parasites, but vivax malaria can lead to severe disease and death due to enlarged spleen.
In an unusual case, 30- year-old Praveen Sharma, a resident of Mandawali, succumbed to Malaria at Safdarjung Hospital on last Sunday with severe multi-organ failure triggered by the vivax malaria complications. Earlier, he was admitted at Max Hospital, Patparganj.
Scientists fear that if not checked, plasmodium vivax malaria may turn into epidemic as despite being non-fatal it has taken two lives.
“Previously, vivax malaria was detected in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and North-East,” said the NIRM director.
As Delhi is already reeling under dengue and chikungunya, the non-fatal malaria parasite taking lives in the national Capital has left health experts stumped.
A senior doctor criticised the city Government and municipal bodies for their failure in preventing mosquito breeding.
“Today, the worsening health-care condition of the city is an outcome of their apathy. All OPDs and emergency are overcrowded with patients suffering from high fever. Now, fogging is ‘just symbolic’ as it is too late,” he added.
Dr RK Singal, Director of Internal Medicine at BlK hospital, said, “If a patient, suffers from even a mild fever, he/she should not self-medicate. They should go for tests to rule out infections such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.”
While the cases of malaria have been decreasing over the past few years, NIRM director Neena Valecha said that since a lot of people come to Delhi for treatment, many times cases go unreported. “People go to private labs and hospital and the cases of malaria do not come on record,” the NIRM director said.