Epidemic declared in Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur districts; 10 dead in Bilaspur BILASPUR: State health officials have confirmed the outbreak of a malaria epidemic in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur districts. While the neighbouring districts of Durg and Koriya have also reported a spurt in malaria cases, officials have embarked on a State-wide intervention programme to contain the disease. Health Secretary Vikas Sheel said 10 people had died of falciparum malaria in Bilaspur thus far, and the administration was conducting door-to-door surveys in affected regions. Health workers are also distributing insecticide-embedded mosquito nets and spraying village homes with pesticides like DDT.