Molecular Identification and phylogenetic analysis of mosquito vectors from Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad, Kerala, India

Background & objectives: Every year more than one billion people are infected and about one million people die from vector-borne diseases; of which mosquito-borne diseases remain as the world’s most severe insect-borne diseases with excessive rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to examine the mosquito vectors and the possible diseases transmitted by them in the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad, Kerala. Methods: The area selected for the present study was Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad district, Kerala, during 2019–2021. The collected specimen were subjected for morphological identification using taxonomic keys and were confirmed by DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogeny assessment was done for the collected species of vector mosquitoes. Results: A total of 17 mosquito species belonging to 5 genera, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Mansonia and Armigeres were identified. The mitochondrial COI gene sequences generated for molecular identification of these species were submitted to NCBI GenBank. Interpretation & conclusion: Overall, this study extends our understanding of the molecular evolution of mosquito vectors of medical and veterinary concern, which could aid in developing biotechnological approaches used in Culicidae control programs.

Effectiveness of One Health approach for control of Kyasanur Forest Disease in Wayanad, Kerala, India

Background & objectives: Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a vector borne haemorrhagic fever that is endemic in the Wayanad region located in Northern part of Kerala, India. The region is managing the outbreak well ever since the major epidemic of 2015. This was because of the successful implementation of One Health (OH) initiative concentrating on multisectoral collaboration between regional institutions involved in public, animal and environmental health domains. The article presents how OH was implemented for the first time in the district in the year 2015 and evaluates the degree OH-ness of the Initiative. Methods: The OH approach involved trans-disciplinary stakeholder meetings and reviews, outbreak management and integrated surveillance targeting ticks, monkeys and humans. The degree of OH-ness used for addressing KFD during the year 2015 was evaluated following the protocol developed by the Network for Evaluation of One Health (NEOH). In detail, we (i) described the OH initiative and its system (Aim, stakeholders, action strategy) and (ii) scored different aspects of this initiative (i.e., OH-thinking, -planning, -working, -sharing, -learning, -organization), with values from 0 (=no OH approach) to 1 (=perfect OH approach). Results: We obtained a median score for each aspect evaluated. We reached high scores for OH systemic organization (1.0), OH thinking (0.83) and OH working (0.83). Lower scores were attributed to OH planning (0.58), OH sharing (0.50) and OH learning (0.33). The OH index was 0.36 and OH ratio was 0.95, indicating a balance between the OH operations and supporting infrastructures. Interpretation & conclusion: With this we could high-light some critical issues related to communication on sharing data as well as learning gaps for consideration to control future outbreaks. The strengths and weaknesses detected may be used to refine the initiative, aiming to provide a basis for the development of shared recommendations in a more OH-oriented perspective. This model of evaluation criteria will serve to create a database of OH success stories in India that will in turn help to institutionalize the approach at ministerial level. Future India is moving towards implementing a One Health, hence, this study data will provide an ideal opportunity for all sectors to control any vector borne diseases.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of cuts and wounds by Kuruma tribes, Wayanadu districts of Kerala, India

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the ethnomedicinal uses by the Kuruma tribals for discovering new drugs to cure cuts and wounds so as to provid the data scientifically evaluated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A survey was conducted during May 2008-September 2009 to collect information on medicinal plants used by the Kuruma tribes and queries were made on the various species of plants used regularly and occasionally to cure cuts and wounds.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The present study includes information on 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and 25 families used by Kuruma tribe of Wayanad district of Kerala for the treatment of cuts and wounds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study of the knowledge on the folklore uses of the medicinal plants used by Kuruma tribes leads to effective utilization of herbal medicines in the future.</p>

Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of cuts and wounds by Kuruma tribes, Wayanadu districts of Kerala, India

Objective: To study the ethnomedicinal uses by the Kuruma tribals for discovering new drugs to cure cuts and wounds so as to provid the data scientifically evaluated.Methods:A survey was conducted during May 2008–September 2009 to collect information on medicinal plants used by the Kuruma tribes and queries were made on the various species of plants used regularly and occasionally to cure cuts and wounds.Results:The present study of the knowledge on the folklore uses of the medicinal plants 25 families used by Kuruma tribe of Wayanad district of Kerala for the treatment of cuts and wounds.Conclusions:The present study includes information on 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and used by Kuruma tribes leads to effective utilization of herbal medicines in the future.