GUWAHATI: Assam is witnessing a concerning rise in malaria cases, with Kokrajhar district at the forefront of the outbreak. Following the recent outbreaks of Japanese Encephalitis and dengue, malaria has now made its presence felt in the region.
In comparison to the same period last year, the number of malaria cases has doubled. The areas bordering Bhutan, particularly in Kokrajhar district, have become the primary cause of worry, reporting the highest number of cases.
Out of the 203 malaria cases reported in Assam this year, Kokrajhar district in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) has accounted for 82 cases. It is notable that malaria continues to persist in select pockets of Kokrajhar, even during the winter months when most districts remain unaffected by the disease.
Health department officials attribute this trend to unhygienic living conditions in forested areas where preventive measures are not adequately implemented. However, they remain uncertain about the sudden surge in malaria cases this year.
Speaking to the media, Achintya Sundar Sarma, the Joint Director of Health in Kokrajhar, stated, "In the last 15 days, we have been detecting four to five malaria cases daily. Most cases are being reported from villages located inside dense forests near the Bhutan border. Many patients did not use mosquito nets in such vulnerable pockets where fogging and anti-malaria spraying efforts remained less effective due to the geography."
Sarma added that despite the situation, Kokrajhar town itself largely remains unaffected by malaria. While July is typically considered the peak season for malaria, the significant increase in cases this year is unusual compared to the previous two years, with only 32 cases reported in 2021 and 95 cases in 2022 in Kokrajhar.
Malaria has also begun to affect Guwahati, with several students from Mizoram falling victim to the vector-borne disease. However, the state health department assures that there have been no reported malaria-related fatalities.
The health authorities in Assam are now working on intensifying preventive measures and enhancing awareness campaigns to curb the spread of malaria. Efforts are being made to address the unhygienic living conditions in forested areas, particularly those near the Bhutan border, where the disease has shown the highest prevalence. With the situation under close monitoring, health officials are hopeful that concerted efforts will help mitigate the malaria outbreak in Assam.