Pune: Nearly half of all the malaria cases in Maharashtra this year have been caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which is capable of triggering serious symptoms, state health department data showed. The two primary parasites of malaria most commonly found in India are Plasmodium falciparum (PF) and Plasmodium vivax (PV). PV is a milder version of malaria and has been dominant for years.
PF malaria, though, has been found to be more severe. Its increasing emergence can be a challenge, experts said. The health department data showed that of the 15,000 patients Maharashtra has had this year, 5,700 were from Gadchiroli .
Mumbai was the second worst-affected region, with 5,100 cases. And 45% of these 15,000 cases (all reported between January and September) involved the more serious Plasmodium falciparum (PF). Last year, PF was found in 43% of the state's cases.
Also, 2024 has seen 15 malaria deaths in the state. In 2023, during the same period (Jan-Sept), there were 13. In Gadchiroli, officials said they've had 11 deaths this year.
"It is known that PF has always been highly prevalent in Gadchiroli district. In 2018, PF was present in 85% of the malaria cases here," said Dr Pankaj Hemke, district malaria officer, Gadchiroli. "Due to the dense forests here and low literacy among tribals, vector control has been a challenge.
To avoid deaths, we try to improve the healthcare system by conducting intense fever surveillance across 67 sentinel sites. Cases are being reported.