AGARTALA, December 16 (TIWN): Total 38 malaria PF cases were found in different tribal hamlets of Gandacherra Sub Division for the past one month, said a source of health department. A seven-member team from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified different areas namely Dalapati, Wansapara, and Bhagirath for visit to conduct a survey. During their visit, they met different people and collected their blood samples to carry out study on the trend of malaria PF.The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) team comprising research fellow of ICMR Ipshita Paul Chowdhury visited Naya Dalapati yesterday and collected sample of the mosquito from the area. During their study, they found anopheles baimaii, a different variety of mosquito -the real cause of spreading malaria. They will stay for more seven days to study more regarding malaria, the source added.

 "A total of 30 health camps have been organized in different areas since the last one month. Moreover, the health workers and ASHA workers are asked to visit different areas and create awareness among the people regarding the disease," the source mentioned.

According to a report of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), over 80 people have died from malaria in Meghalaya this year.

All the northeastern states, besides West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, are highly malaria-prone.

Over 100 people die every year from the disease in the seven northeastern states, excluding Sikkim.

According to NVBDCP, malaria claimed 1,018 lives in 2010 in India, 754 in 2011, 519 in 2012, 440 in 2013, and 350 so far this year.