AGARTALA, June 21 (TIWN): Malaria epidemic continues to newer areas in Tripura by the day as eight more people, mostly kids, were reported dead from the disease on Saturday. A total of 3,213 patients currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals of the state were confirmed to have been infected with malaria till latest reports came in, Tripura Health Minister Badal Choudhury said here today.

Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here this evening, Health Minister Choudhury said that 872 persons were hospitalized on Saturday alone. 457 of them were confirmed to have been afflicted with malaria.

Eight new deaths, all from the age group of 10 years or below, were confirmed by healthcare authorities, the minister said.

Maribati Reang (2), resident of Pushihumpara of Labancherra died at Chailengta sub-divisional hospital today. Rabika Reang (5) from Rajdhar village committee in Gandacherra sub-division, Badrika Tripura (5) from Manipur ADC village, Banita Tripura (10) from Sonadhanpara of Avangbari ADC village, Arpita Tripura (5) from Rajdhar village committee, Senarai Tripura (6) from East Pilak ADC village, Narasingh Reang (80 from Chandrapur ADC village in Kanchanpur sub-division and Suman Tripura (1.6) from Harbatali school para in Sabroom sub-division were confirmed to have died from malaria, an official note from the Department of Health and Family Welfare said later this evening.

Asked about latest situation of malaria infection in the state, Health Minister Choudhury said that two consignments of quinine and other drugs reached the state government through airways till Saturdayevening. The Tripura Chemists and Druggists Association was called in for discussion about possible help from their side. The Association assured to put up all possible support by the next two days, Choudhury stated.

A special meeting chaired by Chief Minister today assigned members of the state to review and supervise the malaria epidemic situation. Education minister Tapan Chakraborty and Minister for Science and Technology Bijita Nath were assigned Unakoti and North Tripura districts, Gomati district was assigned to DWS Minister Ratan Bhowmik and Rural Development Minister Naresh Jamatia. Minority welfare minister Sahid Choudhury and Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha were assigned responsibility of Sepahijala district, Power Minister Manik Dey was assigned to handle West Tripura district. Minister for Prison Manindra Reang was assigned South Tripura district and Health Minister Badal Choudhury was asked to supervise operations at the worst affected Dhalai district.

Tripura is using Actal, Artesunate IP, Primaquin, Chloroquin and few other drugs alongwith the usual Quinine dosage for malaria patients. “We have seen variations in malaria infection in the state in the past few years. The WHO treatment protocol is being followed in the state”, the minister said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) sounded restrictions on the use of chloroquin lately. Speaking about the issue, Director of Family Welfare and Director of Preventive Medicine later said that due to some extent of prevalence of Plasmodium Vivex in the state. Tripura has an estimated 98 percent prevalence of plasmodium falciparum.

The expert team from Delhi comprising of Additional Director of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme Dr. Avadhesh Kumar and Regional Director (Malaria) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Satyabrata Sen which was supposed to arrive in the state today would come on Sunday.

A special delegation from the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) would visit the affected areas in the next few days to assess the reason behind massive outbreak.

The Tripura Bhawan at New Delhi was asked to start purchase bulk anti-malaria drugs. The drug purchase which started already is being sent to the state through air cargo, official sources said.