Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 7: "Malaria outbreak in Karnataka was recorded the highest in Mangaluru, and third highest in Udupi from 2015 to 2017 (so far). The cases of dengue are reportedly reducing over time. We need to create awareness in public about vector borne diseases," said K Premanand, district vector borne disease control officer, Udupi at national vector borne disease control programme on Tuesday, March 7.
Addressing media persons during the seminar, K Premanand said, "There are 67 Primary Health centres in Udupi. The three taluks of Udupi have been already declared as drought-affected areas. So it is obvious that people will store water in the houses.
"As per taluk-wise malaria survey, there were 1,366 cases reported in the three taluks of Udupi. The cases have come down to 1,168 in 2016 and this year it has come down to 27 cases in January. The highest number of cases were reported in Udupi taluk, that is 27, in January alone.
"In January 2017, the total collected and examined blood samples were 1,568, out of which 27 tested positive for malaria. Among these, 16 cases were found in the urban areas of Udupi.
"The total number of positive cases of dengue in Udupi district was 600, out of them one death case was reported from Mala in Karkala taluk. As many as 18 cases were reported in just one month in 2017. The suspected and collected blood samples of Chikungunya are seven, but nobody was tested positive for the sickness,” he said.
Premanand explained the severity of dengue and precautionary measures to control it. The district stands in category-3 and the department aims to reach category-1 by 2020 and bring it down to zero by 2030.
Mukta Achar, district entomologist said, "There are 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world. The only way to prevent breeding of mosquitoes is to destroy it at the larva stage.
"The community participation is more important for controlling disease. There are special measures to follow in two ways - legislative and health education. Under the legislative, we need to follow model civic bylaws and strict enforcement of Building Construction Regulation Act. The ultimate aim of the vector borne disease control department is early detection and complete treatment," she added.
District Working Journalist association president Jayakar Suvarna inaugurated the programme at Vartha Bhavan. The seminar was organized by district health and family welfare department in association with vector borne disease control department Udupi.
DHO Rohini and others were present at the workshop.