Malaria cases on the rise in DK

4,155 cases reported between January and August this year

The statement of Malaria positive cases reported from private hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, District Health Laboratory, District Government Wenlock Hospital Laboratory and MCC Laboratories available in the Malaria Control Cell at MCC reveals a huge and non-stoppable increase of malaria cases in the city area.

The number of malaria cases registered this year from January to August is 4,155, while it was 3,221 in 2009. Out of the total cases, 638 individuals suffered from severe malaria while rest of them were prone to general malaria symptoms. The highest number of malaria cases were found in Mangaladevi, Jeppu, Hampankatta, Milagres and Urva. The ward wise report of malaria cases shows Central Market topping the list, followed by Kankanady ward. 

The MCC which is trying to fight the disease through carrying out Malaria Surveillance Work in the form of awareness programmes in the form of house visits, construction site visits and survey and spraying work at mosquito breeding places has not proved completely efficient for preventing the disease.

One of the prevention measures to control the disease has been to impose a penalty fee to the owners of building construction like hotels, commercial complexes, hospitals and houses where no precautionary measures to avoid mosquito breeding has been taken. So far MCC has penalised 275 individuals and has collected a sum of Rs 1,41,980 till the month of August.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Coordinator of Malaria Control Cell Suresh Bolar said that the major reason behind the increased rate of malaria cases is the ignorance and non co-operation from the public. “Most of the people are not willing to go for a blood test in spite of the suggestions from doctors and clinics. They ignore the advice with the assumption of having a viral fever. The best and the only way to control malaria is to make the people aware of the seriousness of the disease,” he said.

Suresh Shetty from Parisara Okkuta opines that the disease can be controlled for 80 per cent by supervising the under construction and abandoned buildings in the city. “These buildings are the best place for the mosquito breeding which could be curbed by building owners taking steps to avoid the breeding,” he informed.