Mangaluru, (The Hindu): With the heavy spell of rain in the last few days, the threat of the vector-borne diseases, particularly those spread by mosquitoes, is looming large in Dakshina Kannada.

“It is that time when we will see a spurt in cases of dengue and malaria that are spread by mosquitoes breeding in fresh water,” M. Ramakrishna Rao, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, said on Saturday.

Dr. Rao said the Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, carriers of malaria and dengue causing viruses, bred in fresh water droplets. People must prevent accumulation of fresh water in houses and their surroundings. Water stored inside should be cleared once a week. It is important that those with fever should first get their blood checked to rule out these infections, he said.

Arun Kumar S.B., District Vector Borne Disease Control Officer, said 4,741 malaria cases were reported in the district in 2017. The district reported 863 cases of malaria till April 2018, of which 804 were from Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits. Of 165 cases of malaria reported in the district this May, 145 were from the city, Dr. Kumar said. As many as 136 cases of dengue were reported in the district in 2017. Till May this year, there were 83 cases of dengue of which 19 were from Belthangady, 17 from Manglauru taluk, 13 from MCC and 11 from Sullia taluk. There were three cases of Japanese Encephalitis caused by the bite of mosquitoes that carry this virus. While two cases were reported in the MCC area, one was from Belthangady, Dr. Kumar said.

Vector breeding

Dr. Rao said 80 health workers from the MCC and Health Department will conduct vector clearing exercises within MCC jurisdiction. These workers will focus first on 18 very high risk areas comprising Derebail, Bejai. Kodialbail, Mannagudde, Central Market, Bunder, Port, Milagres and Cantonment. Then they will work in 14 high risk areas.

Work has been on for over a month and notices have been issued twice to 12 under-construction sites where vector breeding was found. “As directed by the DC, we will recommend suspension of construction licences if no action is taken to clear the stagnant water by the third visit,” he said.

Dr. Kumar said the Health Department has been providing BPL families with disinfectant-treated mosquito nets, and conducting health camps every Thursday at Urban Health Centres where they treat with disinfectants nets brought in by people.

24x7 malaria helpline

People showing symptoms of malaria or other vector-borne diseases can call the 24X7 helpline number 9448556872. Apart from testing blood smears of the infected persons, the helpline arranges immediate treatment if the tests are found positive for vector-borne diseases, Ramakrishna Rao, District Health Officer, said.