MCC in action mode to tackle epidemics, Info Campaign from June 10- 18

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)
June 8, 2013
mcc
Mangalore, Jun 8: Close on the heels of the district administration, Mangalore City Corporation too has issued directives and undertaken several preventive measures to control the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue in areas falling under the MCC limits.

Addressing reporters at a news conference here on Friday, Joint Commissioner of MCC Srikanth Rao said that a survey of construction sites was conducted by the MCC officials and it was found that 104 building construction sites had mosquito breeding spots out of the surveyed 383 sites. Among them, six buildings with higher number of breeding spots were sent notices. If further violations are found in the second round of survey, their licenses may be cancelled, he said.

Campaign

About 1,560 cases of malaria and 42 cases of dengue were reported in the MCC limits from January 2013. No deaths were reported due to malaria or dengue in this period, he said.

It has been decided that Malaria and Dengue Control Information Campaign week will be observed from June 10 to June 18, in which about 600 students from 21 nursing colleges in the city will participate. Students will participate in a door-to-door campaign in all wards under the MCC and create awareness about the dangers of malaria and dengue. Potential breeding spots of mosquitoes will be identified and eradicated, as part of the campaign, he said.

Dividing the areas more prone to malaria and dengue into six parts, about 42 multi-purpose workers and 30 sprayers have been appointed to undertake a door-to-door survey, blood screening and treatment, destroy mosquito-breeding spots and spray chemicals in 42 wards under the MCC, said MCC health officer Dr Sudarshan.

Blood testing units

He said that seven blood testing units had been set-up in the city limits at Lalbagh, Lady Hill, Jeppu, Wenlock, Bengre and district laboratory, and additional six units would be set-up soon at Kadri, KSRTC bus stand, Panjimogaru, Kunjathbail and Kavoor.

"All private hospitals and labs have been instructed to notify the MCC immediately in cases malaria or dengue were detected," he said.

In a survey conducted from October 2012 to May 2013, a total of 3,35283 houses were visited and 27,447 breeding spots were identified. About 53,447 wells containing guppy fish were identified, and arrangements were made to provide guppy fish to wells without any, said Mr Rao.

“We need the co-operation of people to help in checking the spread of vector-borne diseases. Along with door-to-door campaigning, awareness on malaria and dengue will be created among people through announcements, radio and television. About 50 large posters have been put up in public places like bus stand, railway station etc.,” he said.

District Vector-borne Disease Control Officer Dr Arun Kumar and MCC superintending engineer B S Balakrishna were present.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

The Scam: How Fraudsters Strike

Criminals are using SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to circulate suspicious links and APK files (Android application packages). They claim these apps allow users to pay e-challans at a discount.

•    Device Hacking: Downloading these unauthorized apps gives hackers full access to the victim's smartphone.

•    Financial Theft: Once the phone is compromised, fraudsters intercept OTPs and personal data to drain bank accounts.

•    Phishing Sites: Fake websites mimicking official portals are also being used to harvest banking credentials.

Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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