Karnataka that is at the forefront of malaria control has been elevated from Category II (pre-elimination phase) to Category I (elimination phase). The Union Health Ministry has issued a certificate of appreciation to Karnataka on the occasion of world Malaria Day observed on April 25.
States and Union Territories with an Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of less than one case per 1,000 population at risk and some districts reporting an API of one case per 1,000 population have been classified as Category 2 states. Karnataka that was under Category 2 has now been elevated to Category 1.
Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, who tweeted about this, said: “It gives me great satisfaction to announce that Karnataka has been elevated to ‘Category 1’ by @MoHFW_INDIA for making significant strides towards Malaria elimination! Heartfelt thanks to all health workers and official machinery for this remarkable achievement!”
