KOZHIKODE: Close on the heels of the dengue epidemic, the threat of malaria is also looming large. Two cases of indigenous malaria were reported from Vellayil on Sunday and two more cases (Malaria Plasmodium Vivax) were reported on Monday. The non-indigenous cases were found in Azhiyur and Ramanattukara. “Non-indigenous cases are not a cause for concern. But the indigenous cases means the affected got the disease as the source is in our surroundings,” said Additional district medical officer Dr Ashadevi.
Health workers have begun preventive measures in Vellayil beach area and in other malaria reported areas. “The presence of African Mushu (catfish) fish variety in wells is a major problem. If we introduce guppy fish so that they eat larvae of mosquitoes, what really happens is these fish get eaten by the African Mushu thus thwarting our exercise,” lamented Dr Ashadevi. The deep wells in the coastal area are likely to have the presence of Anopheles mosquito sources which spread the malaria.
As many as 3116 cases of viral fever were reported on Monday, according to the district medical office. 77 suspected cases of dengue and three suspected cases of Hepatitis A were also registered. As many as 224 ADD (Acute diarrhoeal disease) cases were also reported. A confirmed case of H1N1 was reported from Chevayur. A total of 36,470 patients visited the outpatient wing of various health institutions on Monday.
