The epidemic of malaria that broke out in four villages of Banke district across the Rapti river in mid-western Nepal for over some weeks has been taken control, Department of Health Service said here Friday.

 

At least 24 people are reported dead from suspected malaria cases among those killed 33 in the disease-ridden area, some 500 km west of Kathmandu, according to the department.

 

The technical team including doctors assigned to the area to take malaria epidemic under control has been providing 24-hour health services in the area, Director General of the department Dr. Mahendra Bahadur Bishta told reporters.

 

Those suspected, affected and prone to malaria in the area have been provided medicines free of cost and works of spreading insecticides in various affected area are being carried out.

 

Tests have been carried out among 1500 affected people and blood of around 983 locals has been collected for the tests.

 

Of the total suspects, some 112 locals are found to have affected from severe malaria, 68 from minor malaria and 3 from combined malaria, he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2006)