AGARTALA, June 29 (TIWN): Over 1,200 more were diagnosed with malaria parasite across the state on Sunday, increasing the afflicted population to 13,209. An official communiqué from the state health department said that out of 4,585 fever patients who underwent blood tests across the state, 1,223 were confirmed to have contacted the disease.At least five more were claimed to have died from malaria at Amarpur and Sabroom sub-division on June 28, raising the latest casualty figures to 58.

One Hemendra Reang from Ambassa sub-division in Dhalai district today died from malaria.  The health department authorities, however, denied the report and said there was no report of new deaths from malaria from across the state. The official death toll continues to rest at 53, they stated.

 More drugs came from different states of the country on Sunday raising the stock of anti-malaria drugs further, a source in the state health department said. Large consignments of anti-malaria drugs reached the state on Saturday from Haryana, Guwahati and Orissa. Health Minister Choudhury stated that the state had enough anti-malaria drug stocks to last at least the next seven days.

Our Amarpur correspondent adds that Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) Ratan Bhowmik on Sunday visited Karbook, silachari, natunbazaar, amarpur hospitals. Bhowmik met all medical officers and officials of the sub-divisional administrations and asked them to ensure proper care for containing the malaria outbreak.

Out of 70 patients admitted in Karbook hospital, 58 were reported to be afflicted with malaria. Out of 85 patients admitted at Amarpur sub-divisional hospital, 90 were confirmed to have contacted malaria. The sub-divisional hospital at Amarpur is already overflowing with patients admitted way beyond the intake capacity.

Much against the mandate of compulsory duty in concerned workstations issued by Health Minister Badal Choudhury recently, Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (Amarpur) Dr. DK Roy was today found out of station without prior information.