H.R. Thimmaiah, Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO), said on Thursday that 19 cases of Hepatitis A and E, which caused jaundice, have been reported within a 1.5-km radius of Dongarakery in Mangaluru since June 23, 2026.
Addressing presspersons here, Dr. Thimmaiah said there are five types of jaundice. Hepatitis A and E cases are usually due to the consumption of contaminated food and water and are generally not severe.
Health department personnel visited 832 houses within the 1.5-km radius and collected 40 drinking water samples. Of these, one tested positive, 26 were normal, and results of 13 samples were awaited.
“The surveillance in the Dongarakery area will continue for 45 days after the last case of jaundice is reported,” he said.
Dr. Thimmaiah said Mangaluru taluk reported 24 cases of Hepatitis A and E from January to June this year, compared with 12 cases reported during the same period in 2025.
The district as a whole reported 35 cases during the same period this year, against 23 cases reported during the first six months of last year.
Naveenchandra Kulal, District Surveillance Officer, said Hepatitis A and E are curable within six weeks. One should consume boiled water and consume fresh, clean food. People should wash their hands thoroughly with soap before eating and after using the toilet. People with symptoms of jaundice should avoid self-medication. Consumption of street food should be avoided.
The DHO said the number of dengue cases in the district had come down to 27 in the first six months of this year, compared with 80 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2025.
Dr. Thimmaiah said that of the 15 posts of medical officers, including senior medical officers, vacant in the district, seven doctors had been hired on contract basis while eight posts remained vacant. Medical officers are required at primary health centres in Hatyadkka, Shirthady, Naravi, Mani and Eshwaramangala, and senior medical officers are required at Uppinangady, Kadaba and Moodbidri.
Dr. Kulal said two snakebite death cases were reported in the district recently. Of them, one person died in Vitla and another near Soorinje.
Published - July 09, 2026 08:47 pm IST