9 dists still at ‘high risk’ of malaria

Jaipur: While cases of malaria in the state have reduced significantly over the past few years, nine districts remain in the "high risk" category for the disease, according to health department's classifications.
These districts are Alwar, Balotra, Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Pratapgarh, Salumber, Sriganganagar, and Udaipur. Health department officials say they plan to carry out indoor residual spraying in two phases in these high-risk districts.
This year's World Malaria Day (April 25) theme is ‘Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite', a campaign that aims to re-energise efforts at all levels to eliminate malaria.
Gayatri Rathore, principal secretary (health), said, "Union ministry of health and family welfare has classified Rajasthan in Category 1 at the national level for malaria eradication. Category 1 includes states with an annual parasite incidence (API) of less than one."
Director (public health) Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma said awareness is being created to ensure public participation in malaria prevention and control. A malaria crash course programme has been underway in the state since April 1, which includes activities like anti-larvae measures, source reduction, focal spraying, and fogging, Sharma said.