The Hindu             19.07.2012

More cases in urban areas

There has been no malaria death recorded this year in Mangalore urban and rural areas, according to the Dakshina Kannada District Malaria Status Report 2011-12.

In June 2012, there were 5,564 smears of which 677 cases had malaria (of which, 52 were serious) in Mangalore. In rural areas, there were 8,660 smears and 24 cases of malaria (none serious) were found. A total of 14,224 smears and 701 malaria cases were recorded in the same month. According to Jayaram Poojary, Senior Malaria Inspector, District Vector Borne Disease Control Office, blood smear tests for malaria are done at the following places: Government Wenlock Hospital, District Disease Surveillance Office (near Central Railway Station), Bondel Primary Health Centre (PHC), inside Mangalore City Corporation, Surathkal (PHC), Katipalla (PHC), Kudupu (PHC), Urban Health Centres in Lady Hill, Mullakadu, and Bengre.

Tests are also done at Mulky Community Health Centre and Moodbidri Community Health Centre. Private hospitals also provide tests for malaria.