Mangaluru: With monsoon slowly stepping into the region, the fear of Malaria has also crept in. Statistics available with the health authorities in the district indicate an increase in the number of malarial cases in the first four months of the current calendar year, where out of the 1500 confirmed cases around 200 are said to be serious.

Though there is downward trend in the number of cases from January to April this year the number of total cases are on the rise compared to previous years. In Udupi district the incidence is lower compared to Dakshina Kannada but this time the increase in the number of cases in urban areas is higher compared to rural ones.

According to senior health officials the Government has provided extra health staff in city corporation limits to conduct EDCT (Early diagnostic complete treatment) tests. The health workers are visiting individual households in affected areas and screening operations are done under the Urban Malarial program. The number of cases among the labor community is on the decline mainly due to migration of labor force as sand mining and construction activity has come to a standstill in the district.

In reported cases patients are subjected to blood tests and in infected areas focal sprays and fogging operations are being carried out.

The district authorities have requested the public to co-operate with the local health authorities in prevention and treatment of Dengue and Malaria.