Malaria kills Indian bishop; church workers say problem is widespread

Published: 2005-06-02

BHAGALPUR, India (CNS) -- A Catholic bishop is among the latest victims of cerebral malaria in eastern India's Bihar state, where the disease has killed hundreds of tribal people. Bishop Thomas Kozhimala of Bhagalpur, 65, died June 1 on a train as he was heading to Patna, the state capital, to obtain better medical treatment, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The Bhagalpur Diocese serves mainly Santal tribal people. Jesuit Father Varghese Puthussery, head of the Dumka-Raiganj Jesuit province, told UCA News June 2 that cerebral malaria has killed several priests and nuns in the region. His predecessor, Jesuit Father James Aril, died of it in 2001. Father Puthussery said the government refuses to recognize deaths caused by malaria and has directed government doctors in the region to cite other reasons for those deaths.

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