Vector Borne Diseases Control

Vector Borne Diseases Control Department (Formerly known as Filaria Malaria Department) is working for as its name, control of vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Filaria etc. in Surat city.

All above diseases are mosquito borne and Surat city has a favourable climatic condition to profound its effect on the life cycle of a mosquito and the development of malaria parasite, So major focus of activity of Department is to control mosquitoes and parasite of malaria in community. The important factors are temperature and humidity, which is also ideal to speed up the disease dynamics.

Vector Borne Diseases Control Department of Surat Municipal Corporation has taken meticulous actions on top priority to prevent and control of Vector Borne Diseases (VBD) in Surat city.

Anti larval Measures

Peri domestic activities have carried out approximately 327 Sq. / K.M. areas round the year at weekly interval. Ongoing construction sites, outdoors water bodies, underground tank, overhead tank, ground tank, permanent water bodies and seepages of the canals were routinely vigil for breeding of mosquitoes by our health worker throughout the year. These all-breeding spots have been treated with suitable insecticides like MLO, Biolarvicides & Temephose 50%.

Intra Domestic survey activities have carried out for intra domestic breeding spots like underground tank, ground tank, overhead tank, barrels, drum, earthen pot etc. in buildings including residential houses, commercial complex, High-rise apartment. All positive spots have treated with appropriate insecticides and health education awareness created to the community.

Biological Measures

The efforts for reduction of breeding sites by adopting biological measures were also undertaken. Around 53 hatcheries in different zones were established for larvivorous fish and fishes released in permanent water bodies like pond, fountain, permanent water logging, river etc.

Anti-Parasitological work

The active surveillance as well as passive surveillance has carried out on regular basis as per the guidelines of Urban Malaria scheme for early detection and complete treatment. In active surveillance, 489 surveillance workers have surveyed houses door-to-door in areas by fortnightly interval. For passive surveillance 39 Urban Health Centres have been established in areas.

Night surveillance is for detection of Filariasis. Because of micro filaria (parasite of Filariasis) releases in circulatory system from lymph in human body at night (relaxing condition), the surveillance of filaria is carried out at 6 to 8 pm. All positive cases have fully treated with D.E.C. tablets. Chronic cases have monitored under morbidity management in SMC clinic. Every year in the Dec month, 98% of population covered with Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme. DEC and Albendazole tab. are administrated to all the people (exclude less than 2 y. children and pregnant women). The aim of this programme is to irradiate the filaria in the community by year 2015.

For scrutiny of Dengue/Chikungunya, Sera samples of suspected cases from Civil, SMIMER and private hospital have collected and sent to for serological investigation of IgM antibodies. Containment measures were taken at the premises of suspected dengue cases, immediately intensified intra domestic surveillance to searching of Aedes infestation besides space spray around 200 meters radius of the house.

Plague Surveillance Activity:

Since 1994 there have a plague surveillance unit established in Vector Borne Diseases Control Department. After that there were regular traps laid in the evening to collect rodent and de-flea in the laboratory. Rat burrows in High flea index areas were insufflations by Malathion 5 % dust.

Anti-adult Measures:

Entomological activity is the monitoring of surveillance and anti-larval activity, which is carried out during the year. Insect collectors collect mosquitoes in particular houses in selected areas at weekly base. Culex parous females from collected mosquitoes has been dissected for detection of micro filaria. Special entomological surveillance made for the collection of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and sent for the investigation of virus isolation at N.I.V. Pune. And containment measures are taken in the affected areas.

The space spray done at the places of positive malaria cases, at the places found of P.falciparum cases, also at the places of vectors detected, in the slum & slum like areas and as on receiving complaints from the complainers. There are handy set fogging machine and Vehicle mounted machines for fumigation.

In Indoor Residual Spraying, the specified insecticide is spraying on the surface of wall of houses in high Risk Areas during the month of Aug every year. This can be helpful to control of adult mosquitoes in areas during the monsoon, the pick period of malaria (Aug-Oct).

Training Programme:

All VBDCD staff working for MDA Programme are given refresher training for MDA & Morbidity management every year.

Health Education:

Throughout the year, health education to the community has remained of prime importance for us. It has imparted with keen interest to seek optimal participation from the community regarding awareness of malaria & other mosquitoes borne diseases. A rally presided by Hon. Mayor, S.M.C., Commissioner, S.M.C. and other delegates of Surat Municipal Corporation were organized for awareness of malaria on the 1st June of anti malaria month (June). The slum communities at their residence have shown of life cycle of Mosquito. The causes of Malaria & the message of its prevention have displayed on TV with the use of local channels.

For the motivation of the communities, Essays, Quiz and drawing competitions were organized for awareness of mosquito borne diseases in school students. All contestants have given prizes with special prizes given to the top three contestants in each competition by Hon’ble Mayorshree S.M.C. Special campaigns organized with the involvement of mass media including local channels, newspapers, radio and TV as well as outdoor publicity like hoarding, banners, rallies etc. The health education materials were prepared and widely disseminated in the form of posters, pamphlets and handbills. The slogans have created about awareness of Malaria along with hundred fifty flex banners made up and display in the community. The advertisement in local dailies used at every week throughout the antimalaria month. Interpersonal communication through Indian Medical Association (IMA), GPA and Private Practitioners group meetings are arranged sensitise medical personalities. Puppet-shows along with malaria slogan, antimalarial activities and preventive measures are being taken to make the people aware about vector control.

Court prosecution & Administration charges:

Complains are filed before Honorable Court during year and penalty is imposed as fine. Notice are issued & Administrative charges are collected from the defaulters, who created the breeding potential sites in & around of their own premises. Containment measures were taken against the breeding sites by spraying of appropriate larvicides.