Agartala, June 19: Malaria epidemic situation continues to escalate with two more kids confirmed to have died from the disease in Gandacherra sub-division today. According to Gandacherra Sub-Divisional Hospital sources, Babita Reang (1.5) and Damnita Reang (2) passed away since last night.

Science and Technology minister Bijita Nath visited Gandacherra this afternoon and held a long meeting with officials of the district and sub-divisional administration. One more Anganwadi worker was suspended today following the minister’s crucial visit.

Out of two kids that died in the past one day, Babita Reang expired in Gandacherra sub-divisional hospital. She hailed from the Ultacherra village committee under Gandacherra sub-division. Danita, a resident of Kalajhari village committee, expired at home late night on Wednesday.

Asked about the issue, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Gandacherra) Bhaskar Dasgupta said that seventy-two persons were hospitalized on Thursday. Thirty among them were diagnosed with malaria parasite. Over 342 were hospitalized in Gandacherra till date out of which 309 are being treated with confirmed malaria infection.

He added that highest stress was laid on ensuring hundred percent institutional treatment. A meeting was held with chairpersons and vice chairmen of village committees for handling fever patients. All suspended patients must be brought under hospital treatment, the elected public representatives were advised.

Speaking about the recent inputs from field sources, Health Minister Badal Choudhury recently said that three persons were dead from malaria in the past three days. 1,638 persons were diagnosed with malaria parasite till Tuesday.

Asked about why DDT sprays were not made in interior villages of the state in the past 2 years, Health Minister Choudhury said that the Department of Environment had severe reservations on the issue. "We have started DDT spraying across the state now. We are doing it against the guidelines of the Environment Department", he had stated.

Gandacherra SDM Dasgupta today said that DDT spraying was continued in mission mode today. Spraying was done in 35 habitations out of 216 tribal hamlets of the sub-division, he added.