The Hindu

• During the corresponding period in 2005, there were 4,656 cases of malaria
• Eight teams formed under malaria control programme working in Mangalore
• Fogging taken up in some areas; larvaecide being sprayed
• Corporation commissioner told to convene meeting of builders
• Deputy Commissioner calls for malaria detection and control measures 

Mangalore, Jul 6: Even while the administration is making an all-out effort to control the spread of malaria and filaria, cases of infections have again been reported in the district.

Expressing concern over the growing number of malaria cases at a meeting of malaria control programme, Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwara Rao said that there were 4,021 cases of malaria reported in the district up to May 31, 2006.

During the corresponding period in 2005, there were 4,656 cases of malaria, he said.

He said there was a need to take up extensive and intensive malaria detection and control measures within the Mangalore City Corporation area as more number of cases was being reported from in the city area. He pointed out that the "city area has become a problem-intensive area due to extensive breeding of mosquito leading to the spread of infection."

He said eight teams formed under malaria control programme had been working in the city. Migrant workers were being given preventive medicine. Work had been taken up to clear stagnation of water. Fogging was also being done in some areas. The committee though had expressed some reservation against fogging, it had agreed that in some areas fogging had become inevitable.

He said in many places, mosquito larvaecide were being sprayed. It had shown good results. However, the committee observed that in the coming days when the rain subsided there might be extensive breeding in the city which might also show an increase in cases of malaria. He said during this period, all anti-malaria squads should intensify their awareness campaigns.

The meeting also discussed the need for including builders in fighting malaria in the city. The commissioner of Mangalore City Corporation had been instructed to convene a meeting of builders and guide them in controlling breeding of mosquitoes in their buildings.

The Deputy Commissioner told the meeting that there had been 22 "micro filarial" cases reported in the district in 2005. In 2006, health workers had visited houses in Mangalore, Bantwal and Puttur taluks and had administered "anti-filarial" drugs to over 14 lac people.

He also said there was one death due to suspected Leptospirosis in May. The victim was identified as Kamala of Nelyadi. Another patient Neelamma died of monkey fever in Panja in Sullia taluk, he said.