Visakhapatnam: Manyam district faces a severe malaria outbreak, with most cases reported from the seven Primary Health Centers (PHCs).
The Neelakanthapuram, GNpeta, Madalangi, Duddukallu, Tonamu and Donubai villages were majorly hard-hit, with residents suffering from malaria fever.
The authorities claim that measures are being taken to prevent the spread. Patients are complaining about lack of adequate response from the health authorities.
In Parvathipuram, 263,417 samples were collected in 2022, of which 502 malaria cases were confirmed. The next year, 264,449 samples were collected and 482 cases confirmed. Some 120,000 samples were collected this year, with 213 cases testing positive.
These are only the figures officially registered with the Malaria Department, while the actual numbers could be much higher.
Many villages and towns in the Manyam district face sanitation problems. The drains are clogged and the roads are filled with sewage, producing a foul odour and creating perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed. Sanitation work has been halted in several panchayats amid criticism of poor performance of MPDOs worsening the malaria crisis.
Deccan Chronicle spoke to the district malaria officer, Dr Jaganmohan Rao. He stated, "We are taking steps to prevent the spread. This year, we are conducting mosquito repellent spraying in 401 villages.”
He added, “The first spraying phase is in progress and we are providing complete medical services to the patients. Fevers are promptly identified and the situation is under control.”
