Malarial trend in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka: An epidemiological assessment from 2004 to 2013

Background: Malaria is one of the main causes for morbidity in India and many of the tropical countries. Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka is one of the Malaria endemic districts. Various efforts to contain the transmission of this deadly disease by National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) has been effective up to an extent. Methods: A retrospective report based study over a period of ten years was conducted in Dakshina Kannada district. The community based data of confirmed cases of malaria was collected and analysed. Results: Highest cases of Malaria were recorded in 2005 (16,154) . The incidence of Malaria ranged from 26% to 85% in the last ten years. The magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum %(Pf%) ranged from 6.8%-30.9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of malaria has been on a declining trend but some of the malariometric indices have been on a fluctuating trend. This is indicative of a multidisciplinary approach to curb the disease