Team from Delhi tours western Rajasthan to check the spread of diseases DNA correspondent After a sudden spurt of malaria reported from western Rajasthan for the past few weeks, teams of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) visited the area to take stock of the situation. According to officials, a team led by BN Thapar, joint director at NVBDCP visited Barmer on Monday. The team had visited Jaisalmer and Pokhran in past few days. "I am here to take stock of the situation as a large number of cases of malaria have been reported from the area. We have conducted an intensive tour of theses areas and will soon suggest preventive measures to the state health authorities," Thapar said. Till now, around 16,000 cases of malaria have been reported from the state. However, what is bothering the government authorities is the fact that more than 10,000 cases have been reported in past one month. Five district including Barmer, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Hanumangarh and Rajsamand are the worst affected district. "Our senior officials have already visited the affected districts and have instructed to start anti-larval activities," BR Meena, additional director (Rural Health) said. According to officials, heavy rainfall in the past few weeks in western Rajasthan has led to the formation of water holes in the desert region. This has resulted in the growth of mosquito. Though the anti-larval and anti-malaria activity by the health department has yielded some results, remedy for public seems to be too little. More than 100 cases of falciparum malaria have been reported in Jaisalmer in the past two weeks while more than 50 cases were registered from Barmer district. "So far 400 cases of malaria have been reported from Barmer district while in Jaisalmer, the number has reached around 500. There has been increase in cases of falciparum malaria also in past few weeks," Meena said. DEADLY DISEASE Till now around 16,000 cases of malaria have been reported from Raj More than 100 cases of falciparum malaria have been reported in Jaisalmer A tem led by BN Thapar, joint director at NVBDCP visited Barmer on Monday Senior officials have instructed to start anti-larval activities