Malaria claims 4 lives in Vizag agency

VISAKHAPATNAM: Contrary to the claims of the medical and health department officials, malaria has claimed lives of four persons in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam in January alone.Notwithstanding various government programmes to combat malaria, there is no improvement in the situation which is getting worse day by day.K Sitamma (26) of Pedabayalu, D Sai Kumar (16) of Tangagi, S Lakshmi (25) of Dhimsa and R Sai Kumar (5) of Dubbaput were among those who died due to malaria.A pregnant woman, Killo Suvarna (21), resident of Kikitiguda of Araku Valley mandal reportedly died of malaria on Sunday night, but health department officials are yet to confirm it.Tribal areas in Visakhapatnam district were known to be the highest incidence areas for malaria in the state.District malaria officer KVSP Rao said department has procured about three lakh medicated mosquito nets from Vietnam for distribution.