2 Sep :In order to review the current Vector Borne Disease situation, assess the preparedness of the states and to formulate an action plan of the states reporting dengue, Chikungunya , malaria and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), Director General of Health Services Dr R K Srivatava reviewed the epidemic situation in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andman Nicobar Island, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, here today.
The Health Ministry is continuously monitoring the situation and all the support to the states is being ensured to deal with the situation. The State health authorities were asked to ensure that there should be no shortage of drugs, testing kits and other necessary logistics to contain the current situation. Central teams will be deputed wherever necessary to provide technical guidance to the state health authorities. One such team is already in place at Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Special DGHS, Public Health Dr Shiv Lal was also present along with other senior officers.
Year 2008 has experienced unusual spells of rainfall which was evident from the fact that by early June, short spells of rain were recorded in different parts of the country. In order to sensitize, alert and review the preparedness of malaria prone states Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Shri Naresh Dayal took a preparatory meeting at the beginning of monsoon this year. This meeting was attended by State Programme Officers (SPOs) of the respective states. During the meeting current malaria situation as well as the actions in line with National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) guidelines on the control of malaria and other vector borne diseases were reviewed and the states categorically told to closely monitor the situation and supervise the implementation strategy. States were also conveyed that there should not be any let up in their efforts towards prevention and control of Vector Borne Diseases.
Till 31st August’ 2008 , fifteen states have recorded a total of 1495 cases and 19 deaths due to dengue. While during 2007 calendar year 18 states had recorded 5534 cases and 69 deaths due to dengue. In Delhi also Dengue cases have been reported which are higher than what was reported during the corresponding period of last year. No deaths due to DF/DHF have been reported from NCT, however a sudden spurt in the number of cases have been reported from Gurgaon where 2 deaths due to DF/DHF have also been reported. The irony is that dengue in Gurgaon has been reported from the posh colonies which clearly indicated that affluent society does not give any heed to the health authorities in terms of helping them in eliminating Aedes aegypti breeding .It has been observed in the past also that without community participation the density of the dengue vector mosquito cannot be kept under check as the vector breeds in domestic and peri-domestic areas and society is primarily responsible for its preponderance.
The malaria trend country has been showing marginal decline during the last few years and annual incidence has been brought down to 1.47 million as compared to around 3 million annually during the last decade. The overall malaria situation in the country during 2008 upto the month of July reveals that there is decline in total malaria cases by 14% and Pf cases by 11% as compared to the corresponding period of previous year. The deaths due to malaria have also reduced from 495 in 2007 to 299 in 2008 during the same period. Few states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Goa, Nagaland, Tripura had shown increase in cases during this period.
Recent fury of rain especially in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh ,UP and NCR Delhi has resulted in the spurt of malaria and Dengue cases. Recently malaria outbreak was reported from Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh which resulted in ten deaths. Early steps taken by the state government has brought the situation at present under control. There have been reports of fever deaths from Kanpur Dehat. State Government has already initiated the steps to contain malaria in the district.
Since 2006 Chikungunya outbreak in Kerala and other parts of the country, there is no let up in reporting of Chikungunya cases .Recently an outbreak of Chikungunya was reported from Dakshin Kannada and Kasargod districts of Karnataka and Kerala states respectively.Althogh the situation at present in these districts is on the declining trend but still community and state health authorities have to actively pursue source reduction methods to prevent its upsurge in other PHCs.
Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is being reported from Gorakhpur and its adjoining districts. At present only 4% JE positivity has been reported as against 11.36% reported during the corresponding period last year. NIV Gorakhpur unit has been established to find out etiological agents other than JE virus.