HT Bureau
DIPHU, April 25: The office of the district malaria officer, Karbi Anglong, Diphu observed the ‘World Malaria Day’ on Thursday to recognize global efforts to fight and control malaria and mobilise action to combat the disease.
The day also aimed to mobilise efforts to control and eliminate malaria globally. The theme for ‘World Malaria Day’ is ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”
The theme focuses on ending malaria for people living in the most vulnerable situations including pregnant women, infants, and children under 5 years of age and others.
Health experts urged people to take all necessary steps that can help control the spread of this disease. As an individual, there are several steps that one can take to keep themselves and their family members safe from malaria.
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The symptoms of the disease range from fever, chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain to abdominal pain and fatigue.
‘World Malaria Day’ was first observed by the World Health Organization to highlight the global burden of malaria and to promote actions to prevent and control the disease.
If left untreated, this disease may progress quickly, resulting in serious complications and sometimes death. Effective preventive measures are essential to minimize the impact on public health.
Precautionary measures that can be taken are use mosquito repellent on exposed skin to lower the risk, sleeping under mosquito nets to create a physical barrier against mosquito bites, wearing full-sleeved clothes when outside to control the risk of transmission, eliminating any source of stagnant water around one’s home as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and avoid travelling to places where the incidence of the disease is high – like tropical and sub-tropical areas.
In Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong District also the World Malaria Day was observed at all the eight medical block PHC. In Manja Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC), the occasion was celebrated at Doldoli ME/High School, Nathaniel Bosti under Doldoli SC on the occasion Semsing Singnar, Sr. M & HO cum DMO i/c, Karbi Anglong, Obed Killing, DVBDC, NCVBDC, K/A , Bhokto Bannerjee, senior malaria inspector and Jiten Kro, surveillance inspector conducted the awareness meeting for the participants, teaching staff, students and village headman attended the said meeting.
Various activities like awareness meeting, distribution of IEC materials, source reduction, ITBN camp, distribution of leaflets, house to house fever survey and malaria clinic were undertaken to mark the occasion. Information about the matter was also disseminated through All India Radio and local announcements in the district.
