In view of the continuous rainfall across the district, Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials of various departments to intensify measures to prevent infectious diseases by ensuring better environmental cleanliness and preventing water stagnation around houses, coconut shells, tyres and flower pots. DC was speaking at a meeting on infectious disease control held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office hall in Madikeri.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar informed the meeting that one malaria case had been detected in the district till March 2026. The case was identified through blood testing among 16,860 persons in Somwarpet taluk, and the patient has recovered. He stated that several preventive measures were being undertaken, including blood smear testing for early detection of malaria, surveys of migrant workers and migrants from other states, awareness programmes, blood smear collection and IEC activities in areas where malaria cases are detected. Larval fish such as guppy and gambusia are also being released into clean water bodies to control mosquito breeding.
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and Public Health Engineering Department have been directed to actively participate in village sanitation drives and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites. Water supply tanks are to be securely covered, while the Urban Development Department will create awareness through flex boards, posters and pamphlets. Water supply pipelines will be inspected periodically, and the Irrigation Department has been instructed to inform the Health Department in advance regarding labourers arriving for work under irrigation projects.
Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar also stressed the importance of creating greater awareness regarding HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination for girls as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.
Dr. Satish Kumar stated that the vaccination is being administered to girls aged 14 years – those who have completed 14 years but are yet to turn 15. He added that extensive awareness campaigns are underway in this regard. He further observed that if preventive and control measures for cervical cancer are not implemented effectively, nearly eight lakh new cervical cancer cases are likely to emerge annually by 2030, making awareness creation essential.
The Deputy Commissioner advised officials not to exert pressure on students but instead counsel and convince them sensitively while building confidence among parents and students. He also urged parents, teachers and religious leaders to create awareness in the larger community in the interest of girls’ health.
Dr. Satish Kumar informed that 29 Gram Panchayats in the district have been declared TB-free, while additional awareness activities are being undertaken to achieve further progress. Mission AIDS Suraksha Abhiyan has also been launched as part of public awareness initiatives. A poster for the campaign was released during the meeting.
Programme officers of the Health and Family Welfare Department were present.
