The Union government has now issued a guideline to intensify activities regarding the prevention and control of vector borne diseases across the country. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) which has framed technical guidelines issued an order via DO No.NVBDCP/ENT/37/2013 to all states including the Karnataka directorate of health and family welfare with a list of suggestive measures for intensification of diseases and vector surveillance. In this regard, June would be observed as the anti-malaria month as vector borne diseases are on the rise during the monsoon phase.

The government has called to strengthen the entomological activity by providing additional impetus for initiating vector surveillance. It would speed up supervision of  Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination campaigns and routine immunization. coordination between NVBDCP and Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) is also mandated where the states could seek details of vector diseases outbreak from IDSP to ensure early containment. Functioning of sentinel surveillance centres established for diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya and JE will be reviewed periodically for availability of test kits supplied by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

The states should fill up the vacant posts of lab technicians more so at problematic primary health centres (PHCs) to ensure early detection and treatment completion with speedy diagnosis within 24 hours.

Use of rapid diagnostic kits for detection for malaria has been monitored and the functioning of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) identified for malaria surveillance, stated the government order.

In the area of vector control, the government has called for a massive source reduction. In this regard, it insists on the elimination of breeding sites by removing stagnant water bodies, solid wastes, coconut shell, etc. It has also called for weekly cleaning and drying of water containers and room coolers.

Extensive information, education and communication (IEC) activities for social mobilization of the community on preventive measures and destroying breeding habitats are recommended.

Minor engineering measures like proper placing of lids on overhead tanks, underground tanks, repairing of leakages from pipeline and prevention of over flowing tanks, channelizing of water collection on roofs and cleaning of water outlets are recommended.

On the indoor residual spray (IRS), the government has called to put in place a meticulous micro spray action plan. Insecticide spay pumps and accessories are to be  kept ready well before the schedule dates of IRS. Training of spray workers should ensure good coverage quality of spray and the team of supervisors should be constituted and provided with vehicle facilities to visit the spray areas.

Under the World Bank assistance, the government has also received the long lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) to be supplied in the project districts.