Waterlogging poses challenge to anti-malaria drive

The recent spell of massive rains and consequent waterlogging of agricultural fields, residential localities and other open spaces in the region may hit the campaign to eradicate malaria.

With the breeding of mosquitoes likely to rise due to the rainwater accumulated in the rural belt as well as urban areas, the health administrators are preparing a strategy to check the incidence of malaria in the given circumstances.

India aims to achieve malaria elimination by 2030, with a specific intermediate goal of eliminating all indigenous malaria cases by 2027. This aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Global Technical Strategy and is guided by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India (2016–2030) and the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023–2027).

“The drive against malaria has shown encouraging results in the past five years, with the cases of malaria in Rohtak district remaining in single digits since 2020. Our two-pronged strategy to check malaria includes intensive anti-larvae activity and a concerted campaign to create awareness about simple actions to prevent malaria,” observes Rohtak Civil Surgeon Dr Ramesh Chander Arya.

He asserts that the Health Department field teams have stepped up the anti-larvae activity, sampling, fogging and awareness drive to check the spread of malaria in view of prolonged waterlogging and possibility of mosquito breeding due to it.

As per official data, Rohtak recorded 13 cases of malaria in 2019, six in 2020, zero (nil) in 2021 and three in 2022, 2023 and 2024 (three cases in each year). Four cases have already been reported during the current year, while the threat of the disease looms due to the prevailing situation.

Official sources maintain that as many as 5,925 notices were issued to the persons on whose premises mosquito larvae were found in 2022, while 6,517 notices were given in 2023 and 8,500 in 2024.

“This year, 2,291 notices have already been issued and the drive is in full swing as the peak season is on,” reveal sources.

Apart from the issuance of notices, challans, fogging operations and other anti-larvae activities, special awareness campaigns are also run to check the spreading of the disease.

“Awareness rallies, drawing and painting competitions and nukkad nataks (street plays) are organised to tell the residents about the specific actions to be taken to stay away from malaria. Testing drives are run and mosquito nets are provided in the pockets where high prevalence of malaria is registered. The students are targeted by organising various activities and contests at schools and colleges,” states the Civil Surgeon.

The students are told to launch a weekly cleanliness campaign at their homes, during which they should ensure that there is no stagnant water in pots, open containers, pits, refrigerator trays, clogged areas and roofs, water coolers and junked household articles.

The doctors advise that in case of fever, one should go to the nearest health centre and get a blood test for malaria done. If found positive, one should undergo full 14-day treatment.