It's time to step up vector control: National Center for Disease Control

ALAPPUZHA: The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged the authorities to step up vector control operations and awareness programmes in the wake of epidemic threat. Dr R. Rajendran, its regional director, said the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes were traced extensively during the last couple of summers in the state. The NCDC has been carrying out periodic surveys in the state after the presence of dengue causative agents found extensively in Pallipuram of Alappuzha district last year. “At this point, the only precaution is intensifying vector control and awareness," he told DC.

"Last year's survey in 500 houses found breeding of dengue causative agent in 31. The larvae of Aedes (causative agent) were traced from puddles and water-filled abandoned buckets and contaminated water bodies." He said there was a high possibility of multiplying breeding sources with rains. Dengue seemed getting out of control with 150 confirmed cases reported on an average a day. On Monday, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) showed 711 new suspected cases, 183 confirmed, taking the total number of confirmed cases this year to 7,165. Suspected deaths are 30 and confirmed deaths 13.

Dr M.K. Showkath Ali, former joint director of NCDC, said besides awareness campaigns and control operations, a change in people's attitude is essential to keep their surroundings clean and be vigilant. "Government machinery cannot reach the door to door for vector control," he said. He also criticised the mentality of people ignoring precautionary measures. The state witnessed an explosive situation in 2013 when some 25,000 suspected cases of dengue and over 180 suspected dengue deaths were reported, though serologically confirmed stood at 7,938. In 2014, there was a slight dip to 2548 cases and 13 deaths. In 2015, the IDSP figures showed 11,329 suspected cases of dengue, including 35 suspected dengue deaths. However, the confirmed cases stood at 3,240.