Once Keonjhar district became a topic of discussion in the whole country due to the alarming rise of malaria infection and death. Later it was controlled after the Health Department organised various awareness and prevention programmes to prevent malaria. It also vanished from the mind of people.   After a lull of a few years, now again malaria has struck back in the district causing a concern among the authorities. Last month, a total of nine positive cases were reported in the district, while this month, six people were allegedly infected in the Joda area in three days. A few months ago, the spread of dengue in the Joda region was the topic of discussion, but now the spread of malaria has become a matter of concern for all.  Chief District Medical Officer, Keonjhar Dr Kishore Chandra Prusty said that there are reports of nine cases of malaria in the entire district in the last month. However, allegations on six positive cases in the Joda area in this month will be confirmed after receipt of the investigation report. After receiving the report, immediate medical treatment and other measures will be taken. It is revealed that malaria has started spreading again in the Joda region since the beginning of monsoon this year. It is alleged that six malaria patients were diagnosed and treated in three days. However, since many people in the area were affected by cold fever, the blood samples of the patients were checked to see if they were affected by malaria or not. There is a demand to check the blood samples of the people living in different slums and village areas of Joda municipality. Sources alleged that four people, including an 8-month-old baby son of a family, are under treatment in a private clinic. Similarly, two other persons are allegedly suffering from malaria and are under treatment in another private clinic. Earlier, distribution of mosquito nets and fumigation vehicles were being introduced in each ward in Joda Municipality. This year, it is late to start, because of the increase in mosquito breeding. Therefore, it is widely believed that diseases such as malaria and dengue can be prevented if the municipality carries out cleanliness programmes, distribution of mosquito nets, spreading awareness, bleaching sprays and other preventive measures. 

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