TITLE:
Trend Analysis of Three Major Mosquito Borne Diseases in Punjab, India
AUTHORS:
Gagandeep Singh Grover, Jaspreet Takkar, Taruna Kaura, Seema Devi, Naveed Pervaiz, Upninder Kaur, Rakesh Sehgal
KEYWORDS:
NVBDCP, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.8 No.5,
April
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background & Objectives: Understanding the distribution and prevalence of three major mosquito borne diseases in an area is critical for the development of effective vector control strategies and public health interventions. The present study is therefore aimed to explore the epidemiological trend of malaria, dengue and chikungunya from 2012 to 2018 in Punjab. Methods: Quantitatively retrospective data was collected from Department of Health and Family Welfare, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Punjab from 2012 to March 2018. The collected data was statistically analysed. Results: In case of malaria highest prevalent districts in Punjab are Mansa and Bathinda, for dengue Patiala, Ludhiana and S.A.S. Nagar and Patiala for chikungunya. Malaria was reported mainly from rural areas while dengue and chikungunya were found more in urban areas. For all three mosquito borne diseases, males were infected more as compared to females. Malaria cases were reported in months of August and September while dengue cases increased from July to November whereas chikungunya cases were highest in months of August to October. Conclusions: These findings help in concluding the trend analysis which in turn helps us to increase our focus on disease endemic districts along with boosting the vector control strategies in respective districts. Further the control of these mosquito borne diseases can be solved by employing adequate human resources, by increasing awareness in the community by conducting health camps and strengthening the entomological surveillance for timely reduction in the breeding of the vectors, especially before the repeated rise in cases during the period from July to November each year.