Media Release
Udupi, Jun 4: Public need not panic about the spread of Covid-19, but taking essential precautionary measures is critical to staying safe, said Udupi deputy commissioner Dr K Vidya Kumari.
She was addressing a coordination meeting of the health department held at the Rajathadri DC Office auditorium in Manipal on June 4.
“Covid-19 cases are being reported across the state, including a few in Udupi district. People must strictly adhere to the safety protocols issued by the government. Senior citizens, children, and pregnant women should take extra precautions. If symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, or breathing difficulties appear, individuals should immediately get tested at the nearest health center. In case of infection, timely treatment must be taken, and efforts should be made to prevent its spread to others,” she said.
Dr Vidya Kumari also highlighted that with the pre-monsoon showers already begun in the district, the risk of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya increases due to stagnant rainwater. Public awareness on health and hygiene should be enhanced, and local bodies and gram panchayats must take proactive measures to prevent the spread of such diseases.
She noted that rainwater tends to accumulate on rooftops, discarded items, tyres, coconut shells, and similar places, encouraging mosquito breeding. “Public participation is essential in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Every Friday should be observed as ‘Dry Day.’ Cleanliness should be prioritized, especially in hotels and public places. Local authorities must take legal action against violations,” she stated.
On Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme, she said the initiative aims to provide quality healthcare to the public. While technical issues might sometimes delay benefits, these should not deprive people of urgent care. Emergency services must be provided with a humanitarian approach and according to regulations, she emphasized.
Water safety was another concern addressed. In 2025, a total of 7,650 water samples were tested, of which 983 were found contaminated. Of these, 908 open wells were chlorinated. Where chlorination hasn’t been done, residents have been advised to strain and boil the water before use. She called for regular water testing and promoted rainwater harvesting as a preventive measure.
Between January and June 2025, Udupi district has recorded 8,175 dog bite and 202 snakebite cases. All health centers should stock necessary medicines and ensure timely administration of vaccines for such cases. She urged the public and farmers to take adequate safety precautions.
Regarding child immunisation, she stressed that no child should be deprived of vaccines. Schools and Anganwadis must collect immunization records during admissions and ensure necessary vaccines are administered to unvaccinated children.
All hospitals in the district are required to install fire safety systems as per KPME regulations. Hospitals that violate this rule should have their licenses revoked. She directed that regular inspections be conducted in private hospitals to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services.
She further stressed the need to raise awareness about acute diarrheal diseases and the importance of distributing ORS packets to households. Sanitation awareness campaigns should be held in schools.
She also instructed that appropriate healthcare services and facilities must be provided without fail to Endosulfan victims. Cautioning against misuse, she mentioned that some individuals are attempting to falsely claim Endosulfan victim benefits using fake documents and stressed the importance of verifying such claims.
All hospitals must ensure scientific disposal of biomedical waste. Any complaints in this regard should be promptly addressed, and maintaining hospital hygiene should be given top priority, she concluded.
The meeting was attended by District Health and Family Welfare officer Dr Basavaraj Hubballi, RCH officer Dr Jyotsna B K, Family Welfare officer Dr Sriramarao, District Leprosy Control officer Dr Latha Nayak, DSO Dr Nagaratna, District AIDS Control officer Dr Chidanand Sanju, District Surgeon Dr H Ashok, Vector-Borne Disease Control officer Dr Prashanth Bhat, specialists from KMC, various departmental district-level officers, taluk health officers, and others.