New Delhi: Orissa recorded the maximum number of cases of malaria in January-July period this year followed by Chhattisgarh while Kerala registered the most number of dengue victims followed by Karnataka.
The country was by and large free of Kala azar except for the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, which reported 5982, 1442 and 337 cases respectively by July 31 this year.
According to the latest figures submitted by the Union Health Ministry to the Lok Sabha today, a total of 2,62,582 cases with 78 deaths were reported in the country.
89,466 cases of malaria were reported from Orissa followed by Chhattisgarh which recorded 31,940 cases. Jharkhand reported 26,489 cases, while Maharashtra reported 17,060 cases followed by Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh.
However, Maharashtra which reported 17,060 cases of malaria, recorded the highest number of deaths at 24 followed by Orissa (20). No fatalities due to malaria were reported from any other state.
India has recorded 16, 683 dengue cases till July 31 with 59 fatalities.
While Kerala reported most dengue cases at 5,947 with 20 deaths, Karnataka reported 4,039 cases and 11 deaths, Tamil Nadu reported 3,079 cases with zero deaths and Maharashtra reported 965 with 19 deaths.
Apart from that, 6,696 cases of chikungunya were reported in the country with Andhra Pradesh reporting the maximum cases ar 2,850.
Citing the causes of the diseases, the Ministry said the incidence and transmission of vedctor-borne diseases is due to numerous ecological, biological and other factors including rapid and unplanned urbanization, water storage practices, sanitation, vegetaion and intermittent rains etc.
Further, Union Health Minister said the government of India is providing technical and financial assistance to the state governments for prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.
Additionally, certain commidities like DDT, synthetic pyrethroid, long-lasting insecticidal nets, rapid diagnostic kits for malaria are supplied by the central governent to endemic states.
PTI
