Mysuru: The District Health Department commenced a campaign to create awareness of ‘Malaria’ among people across the Mysuru district, on Thursday, April 25, to mark World Malaria Day. Staff of all the Primary Health Centres (PHC) and other health centres took out door to door campaigns in their respective areas to educate people on how to stay away from malaria. Not a single case of malaria has been reported in Mysuru district since last two years. If there are no reports of malaria even for this year, Mysuru district will be the first in Karnataka to be declared as Malaria Free District.
A formal inauguration of World Malaria Day campaign was held at Rajendranagar. PHC staff, health assistants and Asha workers visited more than 2,000 houses and educated people about the dos and don’ts to avoid malaria.
Reportedly, as many as 49 cases of dengue were reported last year, but not a single dengue case has been reported in the district so far this year. Several ‘chikungunya’ cases were also reported in 2018, and this year from January only six positive chikungunya cases have been reported.
Dr MG Satish Kumar, Consultant Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital Mysuru said “Malaria is deadliest mosquito borne disease which spreads through mosquito bite. After the infected female Anopheles mosquitoes bite people, they get infected. Those having fever, chills, rigors, headache and vomit should rush to hospital and get it checked. Now the testing process is made very simple and within two hours you will get the result. It is a reversible disease which can be cured completely, may be within a week or two”.
Prevention
* Use of mosquito repellent cream, usage of mosquito net
* Spray insecticides at breeding places
* Keep surroundings clean and tidy
* Wear light, loose fitting trousers and shirts with long sleeves particularly at night
Vaccine to avoid Malaria
Dr Satish has said that a protein based vaccine research is going on to prevent Malaria. The vaccine will be introduced to African countries especially Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya, where there are more number of malaria cases.
