Unseen Threat: Asymptomatic Adivasi Villagers Fuel Silent Malaria Spread in Assam | Guwahati News
In the Kokrajhar district near the Assam-Bhutan border, a significant malaria outbreak has been linked to asymptomatic carriers among Adivasi villagers. These individuals harbor the malaria parasite without displaying symptoms, thereby unknowingly transmitting the disease to others. This outbreak has been severe in Kokrajhar, accounting for 1,943 of Assam’s total 2,831 malaria cases. While neighboring Chirang has also reported cases, other districts have successfully controlled the disease.
Health experts attribute the situation to villagers in forest-adjacent areas like Lungsung, who have developed resistance due to irregular medication and lack of mosquito net usage. Consequently, these asymptomatic individuals have become unnoticed carriers, perpetuating the spread of malaria in their communities. Dr. Dwigendra Ramchiary of Chirang district noted that people travel between Chirang and Kokrajhar for farming, potentially spreading the disease across district borders, as the anopheles mosquito serves as the vector.
In response, increased testing has been implemented following a visit by state health minister Keshab Mahanta, under directives from CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Despite warnings from health officials, villagers, primarily farmers, have not adhered to preventative measures, causing persistent high case numbers in recent years.
This situation underscores the challenge of managing malaria when asymptomatic carriers remain unrecognized. The local health department is working to address these silent carriers to stem the tide of the outbreak.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/asymptomatic-adivasi-villagers-the-silent-spreaders-of-malaria-in-assam/articleshow/115907872.cms
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Publish Date: 2024-12-02 22:34:00
