U.N. fears malaria outbreak in Afghanistan

GENEVA -- The U.N. health agency said Tuesday that it fears there may be an outbreak of a deadly form of malaria in eastern Afghanistan. \nThere have been an increased number of cases of falciparum malaria, one of the most dangerous forms of the disease because it can infect the brain, said Gregory Hartl, spokesman for the World Health Organization. \nThough no outbreak has yet been confirmed, "there are higher numbers than usual compared with last year," Loretta Hieber-Girardet of WHO's emergency and humanitarian unit said. \nOctober-November typically is the seasonal high point for malaria in the region, Hartl said. The cases have been found in the Nangrahar province near the eastern city of Jalalabad, he said. \nWHO has been sending anti-malarial supplies to two hospitals in Jalalabad. Hieber-Girardet said it appeared there was sufficient medicine on hand unless there is a widespread outbreak. \nHartl said 269 children were hospitalized during September in the pediatric ward of Jalalabad Public Health Hospital, more than half with serious conditions, including malaria in the brain. Patients have already died of malaria in Jalalabad.