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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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
