Comprehensive Entomological Surveillance Training to Combat Vector-Borne Diseases in Kashi, ET HealthWorld
Varanasi: A divisional-level entomological surveillance training workshop was organised at the office of the divisional additional director at DDU Govt Hospital, Pandeypur, on Saturday and Monday.
Employees from the health departments of all districts in the Varanasi division, including Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, and Jaunpur, participated in the training. The health workers were trained for the prevention, control, monitoring, and effective action against communicable diseases such as dengue, malaria, filariasis, kala-azar, chikungunya, etc. Under the leadership of divisional additional director (Medical Health and Family Welfare) Dr M P Singh, regional entomologist and biologist Dr Amit Kumar Singh provided the training. A total of 50 health workers, including malaria inspectors, filariasis inspectors, health supervisors, and basic health workers from the four districts of the division, were trained in the programme.
District malaria officer Sharat Chandra Pandey explained that diseases spread by bites from mosquitoes, flies, and fleas are called vector-borne diseases.These vectors carry pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which cause diseases in individuals. Common examples of these diseases include malaria, dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya. Such diseases often present with high fever. Additionally, affected individuals may experience body, muscle, and joint pain. Frequent headaches, fatigue, or weakness are also common symptoms of vector-borne diseases. In some cases, respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing may also be observed.Dr Singh said that the purpose of this training is to complete activities and pre-preparations for the elimination of vector-borne larvae and to take effective action accordingly. The training also instructed all districts to form teams for vector surveillance. Dr Amit provided detailed information on the causes, identification, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of all vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, filariasis, kala-azar, etc.
He mentioned that compared to last year, it is necessary to conduct entomological surveillance activities, such as monitoring mosquito density and reporting and screening fever-affected patients, in hotspot zones affected by mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and filariasis in the current transmission period.
