300,000 flood victims contract malaria

Statistics compiled by the WHO show that more than one million malaria cases are registered in rural areas annually.

Statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) claim that around 300,000 people from flood-hit areas in Pakistan have contracted malaria since July 29 2010.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, WHO representative Dr Guido Sabatinelli said more than one million malaria cases are registered in rural areas of Pakistan annually.

He said that 12 per cent of the people living in rural areas carry malaria parasites in their blood without showing symptoms of the disease.

WHO is coordinating efforts in all provinces for controlling this communicable diseases.

Dr Sabatinelli says the United States Agency for International Development has donated $5 million for awareness and prevention purposes.