The District Collector has instructed that those coming from African countries undergo the mandatory malaria screening along with the COVID-19 diagnostic test.

The instruction also applies to those from other States and testing kits have been made available at all health centres.

The Health Department has sounded caution as malaria was detected in persons who had returned from other places outside the State recently.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, burning sensation, delirium and seizures. The situation can be risky in case of asymptomatic patients.

A special squad has been formed for malaria eradication and all migrant labourers from the district will be screened. Since it is a mosquito-borne disease, teams have been deployed to conduct source destruction and distribution of mosquito nets, the District Medical Officer has said.