Dakshina Kannada district has recorded a major fall in malaria cases, moving closer to becoming free from the disease.
According to official data, malaria cases dropped from 4,741 in 2017 to 87 in 2024 and further down to 56 in 2025. So far this year, no local malaria cases have been reported on the official portal.
Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal, District Surveillance Officer, said that in 2025, no malaria cases were recorded for over a month under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). He said most of last year’s local cases were reported within Mangaluru city limits.
“Some hospitals also treated malaria patients from other states. If a person stayed outside the district for more than 15 days before diagnosis, the case is not counted as local. Our focus is to prevent the spread from such cases,” Dr Kulal explained.
Close watch on migrant workers
Health officials are closely monitoring migrant labourers coming from states such as Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Fever cases are regularly checked under the IDSP to prevent any new outbreak.
Officials said regular mosquito control work, early testing and constant monitoring have helped reduce cases.
No KFD cases since 2014
District Health Officer Dr Thimmaiah HR said Dakshina Kannada is no longer listed as an endemic district for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever.
The last KFD case in the district was reported in Beluvai in 2014. Since then, no cases have been found. However, the health department continues surveillance, including testing in cases of monkey deaths and tick collection.
Health authorities said they will continue strict monitoring to keep the district safe from malaria and other diseases.