Mangaluru observes ’World Malaria Day’, cases in area reduced

Mangaluru observes ’World Malaria Day’, cases in area reduced

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 26, 2017: World Malaria Day observed at MCC,Mangaluru City Corporation  projected a very positive picture for the residents of this coastal city, a decrease in malaria cases compared to previous year is indicated by the statistics.

 

 

MCC’s Malaria Control App, shows 2,605 cases of malaria were reported in 60 wards of the city between January and April in 2016. The number of malaria cases reported during the same period this year was 1,271 indicating a drastic decline. As many as 1,068 people had suffered due to malaria in January 2016, but the number declined to 403 this January.


Expressing hopes of making the city malaria-free, Mayor Kavitha Sanil said the city corporation will continue its malaria prevention activities through its anti-malaria squad. According to the mayor,  city corporation has introduced series of measures to control the spread of malaria. We are successful in controlling the spread of vector-borne disease in the city. However, we need to be more cautious about possible spread of malaria and dengue during rainy season.

More than 11,000 open wells have been identified in 60 wards of the city, the Mayor said, adding that the squad will release guppy fish in all such open water resources in May. The squad has 96 members and the city corporation has reserved Rs. 1.80 crore for malaria prevention programme, she said.


Mangaluru City South MLA J R Lobo said the city corporation has successfully controlled the spread of malaria in the city, but it is yet to make Mangaluru a complete malaria-free city. "We need to continue our efforts to make our city malaria-free. People in Mangaluru, who are pro-active towards Swachh Mangaluru campaign, will also join hands to eradicate malaria," he said.

The MLA pointed that the system of fogging to eliminate mosquitos is an unscientific method as it has several ill-effects on human body. He suggested planting neem saplings will be an ideal solution to prevent the spread of malaria. Awareness is better in the city now.