Action to free Udupi district of malaria by 2020.

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi: District Health Officer Dr Rohini said the Health Department has taken measures to free Udupi district from malaria by 2020.

She was speaking at World Malaria Day programme here on April 25, Wednesday.

She said that a total of 513 malaria cases were reported in the district in 2017. It was 1,168 cases in 2016 and 1,366 cases in 2015. Measures have been taken to reduce the number of malaria cases to zero by 2020, she said.

Dr Rohini said that all the private hospitals have been directed to submit the details on malaria cases to the department. “The public should visit the nearest hospital for testing in case of fever. There are enough medicines in government hospitals and PHCs to treat all malaria affected patients.”

The DHO said that mosquito breeding areas in the district have been identified and awareness is being created among people to destroy the mosquito breeding.

“The district received 25,593 mosquito nets to be distributed among people. People should ensure that the water is not stagnant in their surroundings. The small-size fish species such as ‘Gambusia’ and ‘Guppy,’ once introduced in a water-tank, well or sump, would eat the mosquito larva,” she said.

She said that all the PHCs have been asked to construct a tank to rear guppy and Gambusia fish. Later, the fishes can be distributed free of cost to be released into wells. The quarry owners have been asked to rear the fish in quarry site where water remains stagnant, so that mosquitoes do not breed in such areas, she added.

She said building owners have been urged to maintain cleanliness at the construction sites.

District Malaria Officer Dr Premananda said the measures to check the spread of malaria will help in curbing dengue as well. Timely blood tests and appropriate treatment would come a long way in preventing complications, he added.

Taluk health officer Dr Nagarathna, district surveillance officer Dr Vasudeva and others were present on the occasion.