Vector-borne diseases in central India, with reference to malaria, filaria, dengue and chikungunya.
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Date
2014-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) caused by parasites and viruses
are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Madhya Pradesh (MP), central
India. These diseases are malaria, lymphatic filariasis, dengue and chikungunya.
Epidemiological information is lacking on different VBDs that are commonly
prevalent in rural-tribal areas of MP, except on malaria.
Methods: The studies were carried out at the request of Government of Madhya
Pradesh, in three locations where many VBDs are endemic. Data on malaria/filaria
prevalence were collected by repeatedly undertaking cross-sectional parasitological
surveys in the same areas for 3 years. For dengue and chikungunya, suspected
cases were referred to the research centre.
Results: Monitoring of results revealed that all the diseases are commonly
prevalent in the region, and show year-to-year variation. Malaria slide positivity
(the number of malaria parasitaemic cases, divided by the total number of blood
smears made) was 18.7% (190/1018), 16.4% (372/2266) and 20.4% (104/509)
respectively in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. There was a strong age pattern
in both Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum. The slide vivax rate was highest
among infants, at 5% (odds ratio [OR] = 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5
to 9.4; P<0.05) and the highest slide falciparum rate was 20% in children aged
1–4 years (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.7; P<0.0001). This age-related pattern was
not seen in other VBDs. The microfilaria rate was 7.5%, 7.6% and 7.8% in the
years 2010, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Overall, microfilaria rates were higher
in males (8.7%) as compared to females 6.4% (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1 to 2.0;
P < 0.01). The prevalence of dengue was 48% (dengue viruses 1 and 4 – DENV-1
and DENV-4), 59% (DENV-1) and 34% (DENV-3) respectively, in the years 2011,
2012 and 2013 among referred samples, while for chikungunya very few samples
were found to be positive.
Conclusion: Despite recent advances in potential vaccines and new therapeutic
schemes, the control of VBDs remains difficult. Therefore, interruption of
transmission still relies on vector-control measures. A coordinated, consistent,
integrated vector-management approach is needed to control malaria, filaria,
dengue and chikungunya.
Description
Keywords
Chikungunya, dengue, filaria, malaria, Madhya Pradesh, vectorborne diseases
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2014;3(1): 28-35.