In Malappuram district, northern Kerala, three migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh have tested positive for malaria, sparking quick action from health officials to stop the disease from spreading. The cases, confirmed on Monday, involve a child and a woman who arrived in the Wandoor area’s Ambalapadi just four days earlier. Doctors have admitted them to an isolated ward at Wandoor hospital for treatment.
Local health teams jumped into action right away. Health inspectors, junior health inspectors, and ASHA workers fanned out for house-to-house visits. They’re raising awareness about malaria prevention, handing out pamphlets, and hunting for mosquito breeding spots like stagnant water in old plastic containers and plant pots. Residents get tips on simple ways to cut off these sources and keep the disease at bay.
“We started comprehensive anti-malarial efforts and awareness campaigns immediately,” said Sreejith G, a junior health inspector. He noted that officials see these as “imported” cases, linked to the family’s recent trip from Uttar Pradesh, a state where malaria is more common.
To catch any more infections early, the health department is running fever checks and collecting blood samples, especially from other migrant workers in the area. The main goal? Control mosquito populations and prevent malaria from taking hold locally in this sensitive spot.
Kerala has made huge strides against malaria over the years. The state wiped it out back in 1965, but now faces risks from outside sources like travelers. Cases have plummeted—from 2,299 in 2010 to 656 in 2019, and down to 309 by 2021, according to the Directorate of Health Services. These new malaria cases in Kerala highlight the need for ongoing vigilance among migrant communities.
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