The malaria situation across the country worsens, with the number of infected patients rising significantly in the three hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari.
According to the health directorate, the number of malaria patients increased between 10,000 to 12,000 in the first six months while it was only 6,000 to 7,000 at the same time last year.
The number of deaths in 2013 was 15, but it is more than 10 up to June this year.
There are 13 malaria-prone districts in Bangladesh.
The Directorate General of Health Services has formed a National Malaria Emergency Committee headed by Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, director of National Malaria Control Programme.
Three days ago, the national committee held a meeting with the district civil surgeon, upazila health and family welfare officer, health inspector and other government and non-government organisations to inform them about the current situation.
“We are very concerned with the alarming increase in the number of malaria patients and deaths. We don’t know the actual reason but climate change or the change of vector might also be attributed to the infection of malaria,” said Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed.
The health officials told the Dhaka Tribune the number of malaria patients increased in Tripura of India.
More than 50,000 people were infected with Malaria, they said, adding that the number of malaria patients also increased among the army personnel posted to the hilly districts.
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by the female anopheles mosquitoes infecting humans and insects.
The disease is a public health problem in 90 countries around the world, affecting 300 million people and is directly responsible for the death of about one million people annually.
Africa accounts for 90% of the mortality burden for malaria and the Southeast Asia 9%.
Bangladesh is considered one ofthe malaria endemic countries in South Asia having 34 anopheles mosquito species.
The general symptoms of malaria include headache, nausea, fever, vomiting and flu-like symptoms. However, these can vary depending on the species causing the infection.
Bangladesh is expected to become a malaria-free country by 2020 if the trend continues.
Professor Dr Mahmudur Rahman, director, Institute of Epidemiology Disease and Research, told the Dhaka Tribune in recent times malaria had been prevalent alarmingly not only in Bangladesh but also in India and other South Asian countries.
