Malaria increasing at alarming rate in Balochistan: experts

QUETTA: As the world marks World Malaria Day, experts highlight that the disease is increasing at an alarming rate in Balochistan.

Speaking to Geo News on World Malaria Day, Dr Kamalan Gichki, the director of the Balochistan Malaria Control, said, “Up to 1.6 million people in Pakistan are affected by malaria annually, while many have died as well due to this diseases. In Balochistan, two deaths have been reported due to the malaria outbreak in six months.”

According to the doctor, there has been an alarming rise in malaria cases in Balochistan. In 2016, at least 53,000 cases were reported while the number increased to 75,000 for the year 2017.

Increasing at a rate of seven per cent, the disease has spread to 29 of the 34 districts of Balochistan.

The doctor added that the provincial health department is adopting all necessary measures to halt the spread of the disease.

A life-threatening disease, malaria is typically transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the plasmodium parasite which spreads to your bloodstream if bitten.

One of the leading causes of malaria being spread at an alarming rate in Balochistan can be cited to lack of awareness about the subject and living in sub-standard conditions. 

However, timely treatment of the disease can help which can be fatal.