Ludhiana: As the weather remains unusually warm, the Ludhiana health department, in anticipation of mosquito breeding, has started measures to check vector-borne diseases after the state health department asked the local health authorities for the necessary steps. As Ludhiana recorded its highest malaria cases in around twelve years last year, the department is set to start awareness programmes especially among the migrant population every Tuesday and conduct daily fever surveys. Additionally, they have started collecting data on medical students and nurses who can assist in checking the spread of dengue.District epidemiologist Dr Supreet Kaur confirmed that they recently received a letter from the state health department regarding the commencement of steps for checking malaria and dengue cases this year. She added that while the season for vector-borne diseases normally starts from April, the weather this year has been slightly warmer and humidity is already present, leading to the early implementation of these measures.Target Areas and Awareness CampaignsHealth department officials stated that 128 malaria cases were reported from the Ludhiana district last year, including one death due to the disease. Consequently, they have been directed by higher authorities to carry out awareness programmes every Tuesday specifically among the migrant population in slum areas and at brick kilns. The official added that they will also be carrying out daily fever surveys in these areas using rapid diagnostic kits for immediate checking, followed by confirmation through blood slide testing.Regarding dengue, the official noted that last year 538 cases were reported in Ludhiana with one death attributed to the disease. This year, one case has already been reported from a village in the district. As per directions from higher authorities, the department will conduct regular surveys and carry out IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities, even as fogging activities by the Municipal Corporation (MC) are scheduled to start at a later date.According to the district epidemiologist, multi-purpose health supervisors (MPHS) have been holding monthly meetings and have been asked to collect data from medical and nursing colleges regarding students who can be involved in IEC activities once the season officially starts.Manpower vs MosquitoesMeanwhile, sources in the health department revealed that the department faces significant constraints in checking vector-borne diseases. It currently has only 17 to 18 multi-purpose health workers (MPHW) in Ludhiana city to carry out mosquito breeding checks, whereas at least 100 such workers are needed for these activities. They added that although the department hired approximately 100 breeding checkers last year to destroy larvae using larvicide, the local health department has raised a request for 300 such checkers this year to control disease spread.The district epidemiologist stated that they have received an adequate supply of medicines used for spraying. A source in the health department mentioned that as mosquitoes have already started to make an appearance, the department recently conducted spraying at the civil surgeon office complex.Residents ConcernedMany residents have expressed that it is vital to take steps in advance to check such diseases. Rupinder Kaur, a resident whose acquaintance tested positive for dengue last year, said that they have also been witnessing the appearance of mosquitoes already. She added that it is important for the concerned department to take steps to check these diseases, but emphasized that people also need to cooperate by not allowing water to stand in containers and following all established norms.
