The Department of Health and Family Welfare in Udupi has constituted 13 teams, for taking up measures to prevent the spread of Dengue in the hot spot areas of Kollur, Muduru, and Jadkal. The department has opened a 60-bed special ward in Kundapur taluk hospital to treat dengue patients. Of the beds 25 beds each have been reserved for men and women and 10 beds have been allocated to children. two ambulances have been pressed into service to shift the patients to hospital.

The teams, comprising doctors, nurses and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), have been visiting the houses especially in Muduru and Jadkal, from where more cases have been reported, and are clearing the breeding spots of mosquito causing dengue. Of over 160 dengue cases reported in Udupi district since this January, 120 cases (75%) were found in the three places and their adjoining areas. The cases shot up from March.

Awareness is being created among people on source reduction. Mosquito nets are also being distributed to them. In addition, each house is being given with two bottles of DMP (dimethyl phthalate) oil, which is mosquito repellent, to houses. Awareness on preventive steps is being created through students in schools and at religious programmes. Street plays have been staged and audio-visual media have been used to spread awareness.