Mysuru: Mysuru district just may be the first district in the state to be declared Malaria-free, as not a single case of Malaria was reported in the district in the past two years.
In 2016, the district reported 43 cases of Malaria but in 2017 and 2018, the district did not report even single case. If no cases are reported in the current year as well, the district will be the first in Karnataka to be declared a Malaria Free District.
Speaking about the achievement, Mysuru District Vector Borne Diseases Control Officer Dr S Chidambar said, “A systematic campaign of surveillance, prevention, vector control, aggressive screening and treatment are some of the reasons why Malaria cases have come under control in the district. People are also more aware of the symptoms and causes. With the increase of awareness, people take steps to avoid mosquito bites. They should continue to take the necessary precautionary measures as it is a daunting task for the district health officials to control the illness without public support.”
He also mentioned that, in the last two years, 11.95 lakh blood smears (5.75 lakh in 2017 and 6.2 lakh in 2018) were taken and examined but not a single case of malaria was detected. As Malarian mosquitoes are known to breed in clean or fresh stagnant water, Dr Chidrambar called upon the public to see that there is no stagnant water in their premises.
Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Jagadeesh said, “Due to the various awareness programmes taken up by both the corporation and district health authorities, we have managed to reach the people and they, in turn, are keeping their premises neat and clean, resulting in no malaria cases being reported for the last two years.”
