A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MALARIA IN TAMIL NADU STATE IN INDIA

Background: To the best knowledge of the author, there is no available literature on the status of Malaria in Tamil Nadu. Hence the preparation of this document. Objectives: To assess the Annual Parasite Incidence (API) and number of Malaria cases in Tamil Nadu as recently as possible (from 2017-2021). Methods: By studying the documents prepared by the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases (NCVBD) and doing a web search on Malaria in Tamil Nadu. Results: It is seen that the Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria in Tamil Nadu had come down to the very low level of 0.05 in 2018 and that there were only 772 cases of Malaria in Tamil Nadu during 2021. Conclusions: Tamil Nadu is very close to achieving near-elimination goals but will have to take active measures to reach it

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Mosquito Control: A Review of Larvicidal Activity from Plant Extracts

Mosquitoes transmit several deadly diseases such as brain fever, chikungunya, dengue fever, filariasis, hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, dengue, and Zika. While synthetic chemical insecticides are commonly used for mosquito control, they pose significant risks to human health and the environment. As a result, plant-based insecticides have emerged as a promising alternative. Recent studies have shown that green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from plant extracts exhibit potent larvicidal activity. This review highlights the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles in controlling mosquito populations, focusing on 80 plant species with demonstrated larvicidal properties. Among the plants, Annona squamosa, Artemisia nilagirica, and Nelumbo nucifera showed the most significant activity. The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical insecticides, providing a valuable strategy for controlling mosquito larvae and reducing the spread of vector-borne diseases

Annual Parasite Incidence Study of Malaria in Madhya Pradesh

The Sheopur District of Madhya Pradesh had a very high Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria during 2017 and 2018. However, if interventions like the treatment of asymptomatic carriers take place, it is expected that the API will come down soon

Malaria in Punjab, State of India: A Brief Overview

Background: The current status of Malaria in Punjab state of India is not known. Objectives: To find out the parameters of Malaria in Punjab state of India. Methods: By examining reports prepared by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) and an internet search. Results: It was observed that the Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria in Punjab came down to low level of 0.02 in 2018 and that there were only 71 Malaria cases during 2021. Conclusions: Punjab state of India is very close to achieving Malaria-elimination goals

A Study of Malaria in the Union Territory (U.T.) of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K)

Aim: To find out the status of Malaria in the U.T. of J & K. Methods: The study design included an analysis of the annual reports of the  National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) pertaining to the years 2017 and 2018. Results: Rajouri District in the now newly reconstituted U. T. of J & K had the highest Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria in the U.T. of 0.12 during 2017 which decreased to 0.06 in  2018. Conclusions: If interventions like the treatment of asymptomatic carriers take place, it is expected that the API in the entire U.T. will come down sooner there

A Study of Malaria in Haryana State of India

Background: The Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria for Haryana had been observed to be decreasing from 2017 to 2018 when it reached 0.11 from 0.20. Methodology: The study design included analysis of the annual report of the Malaria Division of the National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) for 2018 and a web search for information on Malaria in Haryana. Results: There is one district, Nuh, which deserves special mention because it’s API was 5.07 in 2015 which came down to 0.02 in 2020. Conclusions: Although Haryana did not reach zero Malaria cases in 2021, it did reach an API of 0.11 during 2018. Therefore, it is a good candidate for being the first state in the country close to being able to achieve near-elimination goals

Variation in Types of Malaria in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Objectives: To find out the status of Malaria in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. Materials and Methods: By analyzing the data available on the websites of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC). Results: The Malaria problem is maximum in the Nicobar District and least in the North and Middle Andaman District. Conclusions: Vivax type of Malaria is the commonest type found in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands

A Study of Malaria in Manipur State

Background: Malaria still occurs in Manipur which is a state in the north-eastern part of India. Materials and Methods: For the present study, Manipur’s Malaria incidence and it’s strategic elimination program was taken into consideration based on all the available online data. Results: The Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria for Manipur had been observed to be decreasing from 2012 till 2018 when it reached 0.00. Conclusions: Although Manipur did not reach zero Malaria cases in 2018, it is a good candidate for being the first state or union territory in the country to be able to achieve near-elimination goals since no other state or union territory achieved zero API in 2018

A Review of the Annual Parasite Incidence of Malaria in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Background: Arunachal Pradesh used to have a high Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria of 4.30 during 2014. Methods: The study design included an analysis of the annual reports of the National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) pertaining to the years 2017 and 2018 and also a study of the National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India 2016 – 2030. Results: It was observed that the API of Malaria in Arunachal Pradesh decreased to 0.39 in 2018. Conclusions: If interventions like the treatment of asymptomatic carriers take place, it is expected that the API in the entire state will come down further

A randomised controlled trial to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of low dose, short course primaquine in adults with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria in two hospitals in India

Background: Plasmodium vivax remains a major challenge for malaria control and elimination due to its ability to cause relapsing illness. To prevent relapses the Indian National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) recommends treatment with primaquine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day provided over 14 days. Shorter treatment courses may improve adherence and treatment effectiveness. Methods: This is a hospital-based, randomised, controlled, open-label trial in two centres in India. Patients above the age of 16 years, with uncomplicated vivax malaria, G6PD activity of ≥ 30% of the adjusted male median (AMM) and haemoglobin levels ≥ 8 g/dL will be recruited into the study and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive standard schizonticidal treatment plus 7-day primaquine at 0.50 mg/kg/day or standard care with schizonticidal treatment plus 14-day primaquine at 0.25 mg/kg/day. Patients will be followed up for 6 months. The primary endpoint is the incidence risk of any P. vivax parasitaemia at 6 months. Safety outcomes include the incidence risk of severe anaemia (haemoglobin 25% fall in haemoglobin and an acute drop in haemoglobin of > 5 g/dL during primaquine treatment. Discussion: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 7-day primaquine regimen compared to the standard 14-day regimen in India. Results from this trial are likely to directly inform national treatment guidelines. Trial registration: Trial is registered on CTRI portal, Registration No: CTRI/2022/12/048283