Residents of the Far Western region are at a high risk of malaria as migrant workers start returning home for Dashain and Tihar festivals from malaria-infested villages in India.

An outbreak of malaria in the Indian cities of Bareilly and Badaun has claimed 39 lives till Sunday, according to the Hindustan Times. Bareilly city is less than a 3-hour drive from Mahendranagar of Nepal.

A week ago, four people were found infected with malaria in Balauri and Mahendranagar areas. They were Indian nationals who came to Nepal in search of jobs, said Hemraj Joshi, an official of the Health Directorate.

“We have been coordinating with the local units to establish health desks in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi and Darchula districts,” said Joshi.

But so far, no health desk has been established in most of the border areas. The Sudurpaschim Health Directorate has instructed local administrations and local units to remain on high alert for a possible outbreak of Malaria.

Dr Gunaraj Awasthi, director at the Health Directorate in Dipayal, said he has directed the District Public Heath Offices in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi and Darchula to establish health desks in their districts. “If migrant workers suffer from a fever, they need to undergo a malaria test and receive treatment at the health camp immediately,” said Awasthi.

Chief of the Health Section in Bhimduttanagar Municipality Dilaram Bhatta said they have started conducting malaria tests in the Gaddachowki border point from Sunday.