Bangladesh has been struck with triple whammy as malaria cases have been rising again for the last couple of months, posting a 34 percent increase in May-June period over the corresponding period of last year. The spike in malaria cases came at a time when the country is battling a deadly surge of Covid-19 coupled with the recent dengue outbreak. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), three malaria endemic districts — Chattogram, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar – reported a higher number of cases during the May-June season this year compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Bandarban is the most endemic district where till June, 75 percent of the total cases (1,522 out of 2,017) have been reported.
The present trend in malaria cases, the DGHS says, may continue during the rainy season if people do not remain alert to destroy the breeding grounds of the female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria cases have also increased in Khagrachhari and Rangamati hill districts. Some 1,585 malaria cases were detected and five persons died in May and June this year. Of the total cases, 90-95 percent was detected in Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts. However, sources at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said malaria cases have come down in the country compared to the past following the implementation of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
Bangladesh has implemented a National Strategic Plan (2017-2021) to ensure it is free from malaria by 2030. Now, another National Strategic Plan (2021-2025) has been taken up to achieve the target of eradication of malaria from the country. Out of 64 districts, malaria is endemic in 72 upazilas of 13 districts with variable transmission potentials. And all the 13 districts are bordering districts. The World Health Organization (WHO) terms malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Though malaria has been eliminated over time, the persistence of the disease is because of trans-border movement of people. Besides, a high portion of people reportedly prefer local drug vendors for treatment without having a proper diagnosis. So, creation of awareness about the disease remains critically important.
