P. Sarojini
Kochi, Kerala (CWBN)_ On Thursday, according to the reports from Kerala Health Ministry, it was confirmed that a new malaria genus called ” plasmodium ovale ” had been detected in the state. The news was confirmed by the state’s Health Minister KK Shailaja.
A soldier who moved from Sudan was identified with this disease. Following the detection, the soldier was admitted at a hospital in Kannur and is being treated. With the Plasmodium ovale detected in the soldier, the Health Ministry said that the with early detection and timely treatment, the spread of the disease can be avoided. Ms Shailaja assured that preventive measures will be taken by the Health Ministry.
Ms Shailaja took to Twitter to share this information with the public. She wrote, “Plasmodium ovale, a new genus of malaria, has been detected in the State. It was found in a soldier who was being treated at the District hospital in Kannur. The soldier had come from Sudan”.
This variety of Protozoa which causes malaria is present in five varieties: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium ovale. Among these Protozoa varieties, Plamodium Vivax and Palsmodium Falciparum are commonly present in India, while Plasmodium ovale is generally found in Africa.
To note, the first positive case of novel coronavirus was reported in Kerala’s Thrissur district from a student of China’s Wuhan University who had returned back to India. Further, the Nipah virus outbreak also started in Kozhikode district of Kerala.
