Puttur, 15 August 2026: Health authorities in Puttur and Kadaba have been asked to intensify malaria and dengue surveillance among migrant and local workers, particularly at hotels, industries and construction sites, following the detection of suspected dengue and malaria cases in the two taluks.
Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese directed officials Friday (August 14) to ensure that workers from other states and districts, along with local workers, are brought under health screening as a preventive measure against the spread of infectious diseases.
She was speaking at a meeting on malaria control and health screening of migrant workers held at the Puttur Assistant Commissioner's Court Hall.
“People may carry an infection without being aware of it, increasing the possibility of transmission to others. Therefore, maximum possible testing should be undertaken as a precaution,” she said.
Varghese also stressed the need for greater public awareness about infectious diseases and called for coordinated action by the Health Department and other government departments to prevent their spread.
Worker data and blood testing within 15 days
With malaria and dengue cases being reported among workers in Puttur and Kadaba taluks, officials have been instructed to strengthen preventive measures.
Varghese directed departments to submit details to the Health Department within the next 15 days on the number of migrant workers employed in different sectors. Their blood tests should also be arranged as part of the surveillance exercise.
She warned that failure to contain infections at an early stage could result in wider transmission in the coming days.
15 suspected dengue cases, 11 malaria cases
Taluk Health Officer Dr Deepak Rai said there were 15 suspected dengue cases and 11 malaria cases in Puttur and Kadaba.
Health staff have already begun measures to prevent a further rise in malaria cases, he said. However, obtaining complete information about workers at some hotels had been difficult.
The Health Department has rapid testing facilities for malaria, allowing suspected cases to be tested and results obtained quickly, Rai said.
He stressed that timely treatment after detection of an infection and cooperation with health officials were essential to controlling the spread of disease.
The meeting was attended by Senior Labour Inspector Veerendrappa, Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Naveen Bhandari H, Assistant Director of Horticulture Rekha, Assistant Director of Agriculture Cheluvarangappa, Puttur Town Police Inspector Johnson D'Souza, Municipal Commissioner Vidya M Kale, Kadaba Chief Officer Leelavathi and Chandrakala of the Puttur Health Department.
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