THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a)to(f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 70 FOR 22ND OCTOBER, 2008
(a) & (b): No, Sir. WHO has not prepared any report containing predictions concerning malaria
and dengue cases in the country.
(c) to (f): The cases of Dengue, Chikungunya and Malaria have not surfaced recently in the
country. Instead, the country including the States of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi have
been fighting against these diseases for a long time.
The first outbreak of dengue was reported in 1956 from Vellore district in Tamil Nadu.
Currently, it is being reported from 18 States and 4 Union Territories of the country including
the States of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi.
Chikungunya was first reported in the country during the last millennium in the years 1963 in
Kolkata, 1965 in Pondicherry and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Rajahmundry, Vishakapatnam and Kakinada
in Andhra Pradesh; Sagar in Madhya Pradesh; and Nagpur in Maharashtra and 1973 in Barsi in
Maharashtra. Thereafter, no cases were reported for 3 decades but it has re-emerged in the
country in 2006 and affected 16 States including Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi.
Dengue and chikungunya are outbreak prone viral diseases transmitted by same vector viz. Aedes
aegypti mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti mosquitoe prefers to breed in man made containers in which
water stagnates for more than a week. The occurrence of these diseases has shown an increase
in recent years due to rapid urbanization, life style changes and deficient water management
including improper water storage practices leading to increase in vector mosquito breeding
sites. Besides, improved global travel has also increased the chances of entering or re-
entering of the viruses in the country from the endemic countries.
Malaria is endemic in the country including the States of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi.
As per the reports received from the States/UTs, Malaria cases in the country and the States
of West Bengal and Delhi shows overall decline. However, slight increase in cases is reported
from the State of Maharashtra compared to the corresponding period (January – September) of
previous year as indicated in the table below:
Country/State Year (Jan – Sept) Malaria Cases
Country Total 2007 653827 2008 599906
Maharashtra 2007 36149 2008 39348
West Bengal 2007 43796 2008 25476
Delhi 2007 120 2008 59
The state-wise and disease-wise number of cases reported and the number of persons died from
Dengue, Chikungunya and Malaria during the last three years and the current year, are given in
Annexure-I, Annexure-II and Annexure-III respectively.
For prevention and control of Dengue and Chikungunya in the country, Government of India has
already formulated a specific disease control programme. Further, a strategic Action Plan for
implementation of programme strategies has been developed and sent to the States on 27-01-07
for implementation. The following are the activities under this programme:
1. For strengthening monitoring and surveillance, Sentinel Surveillance Centres have been
set up in 137 different existing hospitals spread over 20 States and Union Territories. Apart
from these Sentinel Surveillance Centres, 13 labs have been identified as Apex Referral Labs
spread out in existing hospitals in different parts of the country for the confirmation of
Dengue.
2. For Dengue testing, dengue testing kits (IgM MAC Elisa kits made by National Institute
of Virology, Pune) are being supplied to the Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals and Apex Referral
Labs. These Centres are also being funded to some extent by Government of India.
3. States are being funded for procurement of fogging machines.
4. Capacity building through training is being done.
5. Need based operational research is being conducted.
6. Epidemic preparedness, Monitoring and Evaluation, and IEC for awareness generation of
the community, are other important activities undertaken in this programme.
Separate budget has been allocated for Dengue and Chikungunya in the 11th Five Year Plan for
this purpose. During 2007-08, an amount of Rs. 2.50 crores was sanctioned which has been
increased to Rs. 16.69 crores in 2008-09. In addition, amounts of Rs.21.60 crores and Rs.8.75
crores were released during 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively to the Chikungunya affected States
as emergency packages.
In respect of Malaria, the Government of India provides technical assistance and logistics
support including anti malaria drugs, insecticides, larvicides, Rapid Diagnostic Kits etc
under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. For control of Malaria, following
strategies are being implemented through States/UTs:
i. Disease Management
# Early case detection and complete treatment.
# Strengthening of referral services
# Epidemic preparedness and rapid response
ii. Integrated Vector Management for reducing mosquitoes density
# Indoor Residual Spraying in selected high risk areas
# Use of Insecticide treated bed nets
# Use of Larvivorous fishes.
# Anti-larval measures in urban areas including bio larvicides
# Minor environmental engineering
iii. Supporting Interventions:
# Behavior Change Communication
# Public Private Partnership & Inter-sectoral convergence
# Human Resource Development through capacity building
