Udupi district sees significant decline in malaria cases

Udupi: The rate of malaria cases in the district has been declining year on year but not as much as expected. However, the rate of dengue cases, on the other hand, has been fluctuating.

There were 2,217 malaria cases in 2012, 2,205 in 2013, 1,639 in 2014, 1,366 in 2015, 1,168 in 2016, 513 in 2017, 221 in 2018, and 150 in 2019.

The district’s Health Department had estimated that there will be fewer than 100 malaria cases in 2020, but there were 126 cases in the year.

The highest number of malaria cases in 2020 were reported from areas near the Udupi bus station, especially among those sleeping at the station, and from around the fish curing factory near Malpe.

Ther have been ups and downs in the dengue cases recorded in the district.

There were 126 cases in 2012, 140 in 2013, 130 in 2014, 331 in 2015, 600 in 2016, 383 in 2017, 228 in 2018, 280 cases in 2019 and 139 in 2020.

“Dengue spreads very fast. It is not easy to control its spread,” said Dr Prashant Bhat, district health official.

“The efforts of health department workers are the main reason for the reduction in malaria cases. The sooner it is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be treated,” adds Dr Bhat.