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Mumbai Battling to Beat Malaria Outbreak
Authorities in the financial hub have drafted in experts from Medecins Sans Frontieres to tackle an outbreak which has seen nearly 4,000 cases this month alone, with the most virulent form of the potential killer having struck 10 to 15 percent.
"It's an exceptional year. We're definitely seeing a rise in cases. It's a record number," assistant health officer Dr Daksha Shah told AFP.
The first six months of this year saw more than 14,700 cases in Mumbai -- nearly as many as for the whole of 2009 -- while a sharp rise in patients since the start of the monsoon rain in July has left hospitals struggling to cope.
Malaria, which causes fever, headaches and vomiting, is caused by a parasite transmitted via mosquito bites.
If untreated, it can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs, according to the World Health Organization.
Since August 1, just over 3,800 people have tested positive -- mostly for the non-lethal vivax strain -- and there have been 28 deaths, according to figures released Friday by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
MSF teams working on an HIV treatment scheme in Mumbai are providing 100,000 diagnostic kits and 3,700 treatment kits to 64 health centres. They will also train health workers to identify and treat the disease.
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 | Quiz on Malaria Malaria is a common parasitic disease of the tropics, resulting in million deaths every year. Early detection and adequate treatment at the right time can reduce deaths due to malaria. Test your knowledge on this condition by taking this quiz. 
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