Chandigarh, April 13, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
With the advent of summer season in Punjab the breeding of mosquitoes will increase due to the favourable environmental conditions. These mosquitoes which are also termed as vectors as they are the carriers of various diseases and transmit them to humans.
The National Vector Borne Disease Control Program Punjab is on its toes right from the start of summer season.Keeping in view the aim of the Health Department to eliminate Malaria from Punjab by 2024, the Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur instructed all the civil surgeons of the state to intensify anti malaria activities as well as ramping up the active surveillance of the disease.
Dr. Adarshpal Kaur informed that Malaria is one such life-threatening disease spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. The first symptoms may be mild, similar to many febrile illnesses, and difficulty to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum type of malaria can progress to severe illness and death within 24 hours.Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening.
Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty in breathing.Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines. The test and Treatment of Malaria is completely free in government health institutions.
Detailing about the department’s efforts Dr. Adarshpal Kaur informed that a total of approximately 7 lakh malaria tests have been conducted since January 1st, compared to 3 lakh tests in the same period last year.This year only two positive cases, one each in Fatehgarh Sahib and Kapurthala, of Malaria have been detected but it is pertinent to mention that both these cases had a travel history, therefore as of now no indigenous case of Malaria have been found this year.
“Fever surveys are being conducted regularly and awareness activities in high risk migratory area, schools, colleges and in community are underway to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes around inhabited areas”, she added.
Dr. Adarshpal Kaur stated that as various departments like Industries, Local Government, School Education, Anganwadi etc. have their own role to play in fight against Malaria.To ensure better coordination she has instructed the civil surgeons of all the districts to hold interdepartmental meeting under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner so that all the departments can work in tandem to control and eliminate malaria.
With World Malaria Day around the corner on 25th of April the Director made an appeal to the people to take steps in preventing Malaria by avoiding mosquito bites using various mosquito repellent creams or coils, insecticide-treated nets and mosquito breeding should be stopped by sprinkling black oil or releasing mosquito larvae eating Gambusia fish in the ponds.
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