The malaria outbreak in the northeast Indian state of Tripura has caused more than 100 deaths in the past two months prompting calls of “medical negligence” from some opposition groups in the state.
Image/CDC
An NDTV report says that fresh outbreaks in new villages has brought the death toll due to the mosquito borne parasite to 120 across the state.
Health officials say the reasons for the latest deadly outbreak, which began in May, are unclear; however, inadequate rainfall has been pointed to. But more prominently, fingers have been pointed at the unpreparedness of the Tripura state government including the Health Secretary.
Some have even accused the officials of medical negligence. The Business Standard reports an FIR has been filed against three senior state government officials, including the Health Secretary.
“Negligence of these three officials was responsible for the death of about 70 people, mostly children. They died of malaria. The government did not follow the national guidelines for controlling malaria,” Opposition Congress in Tripura spokesperson Ashok Sinha charged. “They bought drugs which are not effective in malaria-prone north eastern region, particularly Tripura”.
The state government is being blamed by critics and Opposition for purchasing Chloroquine, a drug used for malaria caused due to Plasmodium Vivax. They say that almost all the cases of malaria were due to Plasmodium falciparum, the more fatal form of malaria for which Chloroquine is of no use, the NDTV report states. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
