Vector-borne disease control efforts in Nagaland show progress

DIMAPUR — The Joint Director and State Programme Officer of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Dr. Neisakho Kere, reported that as of 2023, all districts in Nagaland had an annual parasite incidence (API) of less than 1, which is commendable.

However, he expressed concern about the annual blood examination rate (ABER), which fell short of the national target of 10%. Despite a slight increase from 9.53% in 2022 to 10.12% in 2023, the rate has declined this year.

Dr. Kere revealed this during a two-day state review meeting organised by NVBDCP at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW) conference hall in Kohima on August 21 and 22. He called for intensified efforts to meet the target, according to a press release.

Noting that no cases of kala-azar or filariasis had been detected, he suspected that there may be more cases of chikungunya in the state due to the limited sample collection for testing. He advised district vector-borne officers to alert medical officers if they suspect any symptoms of chikungunya and to collect samples for testing in Kohima and Dimapur.

He also reported a significant decrease in malaria cases, from 113 in 2018 to six so far in 2024, and a reduction in dengue cases, from 4,943 in 2023 to 11 this year. For acute encephalitis syndrome, 19 cases were reported in 2023 compared to eight this year.

Dr. Kere recommended improving blood slide collection, enhancing malaria blood examination rates across all districts, and ensuring quality monitoring. He urged districts to submit slides for cross-checking monthly and to conduct regular IEC/BCC activities.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Principal Director of the DHFW, Dr. E Motsuthung Patton, highlighted the near-elimination of malaria in many districts. He cautioned against complacency, particularly in light of the dengue fever outbreak last year in Dimapur and Mon.

Despite the current decrease in cases, he urged vigilance with the onset of the monsoon season. Dr. Patton expressed gratitude to the NVBDCP staff for their efforts in controlling dengue fever and emphasised the importance of awareness and source reduction in preventing vector-borne diseases.

He underscored the value of the review meeting for reflecting on past actions and planning future strategies. He requested that the NVBDCP staff maintain sincerity and diligence in their work towards malaria elimination.

Senior Regional Director of Imphal, Dr. L A Singh, discussed the malaria certification documentation process. He explained that the WHO grants certification of malaria elimination to a country following a request from its government, provided it has demonstrated no indigenous malaria cases for at least three consecutive years and has a prevention programme in place.

The Malaria Elimination Certification Panel (MECP) reviews the report and conducts an independent evaluation, which includes field visits and interviews with relevant health sectors. The final certification decision is made by the WHO Director-General.

Dr. Singh congratulated the NVBDCP staff for their hard work, noting that malaria cases in Nagaland are among the lowest in the country. He emphasised that maintaining these achievements is challenging and urged continued efforts until malaria is fully eliminated.

He also stressed the importance of surveillance, particularly for migrant labourers, travellers, and refugees. According to entomology reports, most areas in Nagaland are free of vectors, with some exceptions in certain regions.

He urged districts to maintain their good work to achieve malaria elimination certification. He highlighted that malaria cases can occur due to imported parasites, vectors, or environmental factors that sustain transmission and called for focused surveillance and control efforts.

NVBDCP staff from 11 districts presented their performance reports during the meeting, which was attended virtually by national consultants from NCVBDC. Dr. R Chubala Aier, Director (Health), DHFW, was also present.