Jaundice cases rise in Mangaluru; Health Department issues public advisory

Jaundice cases rise in Mangaluru; Health Department issues public advisory

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 10, 2026: The Dakshina Kannada District Health Department has appealed to the public to remain cautious following an increase in cases of jaundice (Hepatitis A and E) in Mangaluru and other parts of the district over the past month.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, District Health Officer Dr H.R. Thimmayya said that 35 cases of jaundice have been reported in the district so far this year. Of these, 24 cases were recorded in Mangaluru, six in Puttur, four in Bantwal and one in Belthangady. No cases have been reported from Sullia.

Door-to-door awareness campaign

Dr Thimmayya said the disease primarily spreads through contaminated food and water. To curb further spread, the Health Department has launched door-to-door awareness campaigns and public outreach programmes.

He noted that people travelling from rural areas to Mangaluru may have been exposed to the infection. The highest number of cases in Mangaluru city have been reported from Dongerkery, Alake and Kudroli areas.

Health officials have so far visited 832 households in the city to create awareness about the disease.

The department has also tested 40 water samples collected from various parts of Mangaluru. Of these, one sample tested positive, 26 were found negative and reports of the remaining 13 samples are awaited.

Eight medical officer posts vacant

Dr Thimmayya said the recent transfer counselling process has left eight health centres in the district without medical officers.

Medical officer posts are currently vacant at Ishwaramangala in Puttur, Naravi and Shirthady in Belthangady, and Hatyadka and Mani in Bantwal. In addition, Chief Medical Officer posts remain vacant at the Community Health Centres in Uppinangady, Puttur and Kadaba.

Interested candidates have been asked to contact the District Health Department.

Health officials warn of possible rise in dengue cases

District Surveillance Officer Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal said dengue cases could rise in the coming weeks as increased rainfall may create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.

He said Dakshina Kannada reported 534 dengue cases in 2024, including 24 cases in Puttur. In 2025, Puttur recorded eight cases. However, no dengue cases have been reported in the taluk till the end of June this year.

He urged the public to take preventive measures and ensure that stagnant water does not accumulate in and around their homes.

Precautions to prevent jaundice

The Health Department has advised the public to:

* Wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating and after using the toilet.
* Consume freshly prepared and hygienic food.
* Avoid eating food prepared in unhygienic roadside conditions.
* Pregnant women should take extra precautions, as Hepatitis E infection can become severe during pregnancy. They are advised to seek medical attention and follow doctors’ instructions.