City to observe World Malaria Day today

As part of World Malaria Day under the global theme of ‘End Malaria for Good’, the District Vector-borne Disease Control Office (Bangalore Urban) will organise an awareness programme at the Community Health Centre, Kengeri on Tuesday.

“Bengaluru has seen a sharp decline in the number of malaria cases. All the cases that have been reported have also been indigenous or migratory cases. In 2017, so far, only one indigenous case has been reported,” said Dr Sunanda Reddy, District Malaria Officer.

“We have seen a drastic reduction in the number of malaria cases in the city. In 2014, the number was 16 which declined to 13 in 2015-16 which further reduced to one in 2017 (till March),” said Sunanda.

 “We are reaching out to the most vulnerable groups and spreading awareness on maintaining hygiene and identifying potential symptoms of the disease,” said Dr N Ramesh Babu, Bengaluru Urban District Health Officer.

According to information, 9,382 cases of malaria were reported in the state in 2016 which has come down to 629 in 2017 (up to March).