Hyderabad: The Rapid DiagnosticTest (RDT) is not able to detect asymptomatic malaria, which can be detected only under the microscope in a laboratory, say government health officials who are out in the field collecting blood samples in health camps.
An RDT is quick and easy to perform and suitable for preliminary and emergency medical screening in medical facilities with limited resources.
The 13 people who tested positive for asymptomatic malaria were found to be negative in RDT blood tests.
A senior health official, who did not want to be named, said: “The parasite is seen under the microscope and hence the samples have to be checked via this method and confirmed.” Public health officials at health centres in the state are being equipped with kits to draw blood samples and identify patients who are carriers of the parasite.
Experts in infection control state that while treating asymptomatic carriers it is important to have a strong and appropriate communication strategy which will help communities and health professionals clearly speak to each other about the latent disease.
Also, preventive strategies must be strengthened, which means more effective vector control measures must be taken. Controlling the mosquito population is a major task and has not worked well in the Indian environment.
Also, screening for malaria in patients with anaemia in zones where there are a high number of reported malaria cases would be a better way to control the parasite.
