Drug administration drive against lymphatic filariasis launched in 14 Jharkhand districts
Ranchi (PTI): A 16-day mass drug administration (MDA) drive to eliminate lymphatic filariasis was launched in 14 districts of Jharkhand on Tuesday, with the aim of making the state free from the disease by 2029, an official said.
The drive will be conducted from February 10 to February 25 in Ranchi, Bokaro, Deoghar, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Giridih, Gumla, Ramgarh, Sahibganj, Lohardaga, Koderma, Pakur and Simdega.
Lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis is an infectious disease that typically spreads through mosquito bites. It can lead to fluid retention and disfigurement.
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State Programme Officer (Vector-Borne Disease) Dr Birendra Kumar Singh said health workers will administer anti-filariasis drugs to eligible beneficiaries through booths and door-to-door visits. Children below two years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill persons will be excluded from the campaign, he said.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari has said the state has set a target to eliminate filariasis by 2029.
In Ranchi, drugs will be administered at 619 booths or camps set up in four affected blocks – Rahe, Sonahatu, Tamar and Kanke – Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said in a statement.
A total population of 4,91,014 has been identified for administration of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole, it said.
The drive is being carried out in these four blocks following detection of filariasis cases during a recent transmission assessment survey, an official said.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
