MIRPURKHAS, Dec 26: Malaria has spread in the district as 50 patients suffering from the disease have been admitted in the paediatrics ward of the Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas so far during the current month.

Among the patients at the hospital are four children — Niaz Iqbal, 12; Laung, 12; Atma, 3; and Ali Hassan, 2.

Most of the patients belong to rural areas of the district.

A survey revealed that many patients were receiving treatment from private doctors.

A senior physician said that due to the rapid growth in the population of mosquitoes, malaria cases had been on the increase as the health department, municipal administration, and other local bodies concerned were not spraying insecticide and removing sewage and garbage.