Atypical Dengue Outbreak in Odisha: Insights from the Entomological Investigations.

An outbreak of dengue fever struck Tikarapada village, Rayagada district (April 2020). Among 117 fever cases, 49 tested positive for the dengue NS1 antigen. To identify mosquito-related factors in the outbreak, a survey of 101 houses found Aedes breeding sites in 11.6% of containers. Aedes aegypti (79%) and Aedes albopictus (21%) emerged from collected pupae. The village exhibited high (house index = 24.8), (container index = 11.6), (pupal index = 32.7), and (Breteau index = 40.6) indices. The findings confirmed the presence of Aedes and ample breeding sites, suggesting their role in the outbreak. A report recommending integrated vector control measures was submitted to district and state health authorities.

Toward Malaria Elimination: Understanding Awareness, Prevention, and Health-Seeking Patterns in Odisha, India.

Given India's goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, this study aimed to investigate community perspectives on malaria in highly endemic areas of Odisha, a region historically prone to malaria. The research explores self-reported malaria events, community knowledge, attitudes, practices, health-seeking behaviors, and access to healthcare services. A community-based cross-sectional survey conducted among 387 households between November 2022 and May 2023 served as an extension of our recent project, monitoring malaria elimination efforts in remote and challenging-to-reach communities in Odisha. The participants, who had a mean (SD) age of 41.7 (13.17) years, were predominantly male (88.4%). Self-reported malaria in the last 12 months prior to the survey was 6.2%, with half of the patients opting for primary health centers for treatment, averaging a 5-day recovery per episode. The median cost per malaria treatment episode was U.S. dollars 20.17. A significant majority (79.8%) demonstrated a strong awareness of malaria symptoms and transmission, with 83.3% expressing a favorable attitude toward disease prevention. Notably, 65.1% reported consistent use of long-lasting insecticidal nets. However, nearly half of the participants reported inadequate larval source management and indoor residual spraying services. Although there were slight variations in knowledge, attitude, and practice scores among demographic groups, the overall understanding of and approach to malaria were consistent in the study population, with no statistically significant differences (P >0.05). The study findings offer hope, suggesting that with sustained dedication and focused surveillance, malaria could become a thing of the past.

Current status of malaria elimination in Koraput district of Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: After launching of NFME and NSP with wide scale implementation of effective intervention tools during 2017, Odisha State of India observed a drastic reduction of malaria cases (81%) in 2018 and 88.6% in 2019, compared to 2017. The current study analysed the different factors causative for malaria reduction in Koraput district of Odisha State, India. METHODS: The vector density and malaria incidences were assessed from January 2016 to December 2019 and human blood index, bio-efficacy and use rate of LLINs were assessed after distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets. RESULTS: The use rate of LLINs by the villagers ranged from 93.8% to 100% throughout the year. The mortality of Anopheles jeyporiensis remained 100.0% in both DuraNet and PermaNet LNs. The density of An. fluviatilis after distribution of LLINs reduced from 4.7 to 0.0 whereas, the density of An. culicifacies reduced from 12.2 to 9.3. The HBI of An. fluviatilis and An. culicifacies was 0.006 and 0.005, respectively after distribution of LLINs. The malaria incidences also drop from 14.2 to zero after distribution. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in malaria incidences was validated and the possible reasons for the reduction are discussed.

Evaluation of bio-efficacy and durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets distributed by malaria elimination programme in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the most favoured vector control tools worldwide. Timely monitoring and evaluation of LLINs is important to sustain the impact of this promising vector control method and for replacement of worn-out and those rendered ineffective. During the mid-2017, LLINs were distributed by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) in high malaria endemic districts of the eastern coastal state of Odisha. The study was carried out to assess the field performance of the LLINs post 30 months of distribution in Koraput district of Odisha state. METHODS: A total of 130 households were randomly selected from three villages of Laxmipur CHC in Koraput district, Odisha, India; one each from hilltop, foothill and plain terrain. The net users were interviewed to elicit information on usage, washing practices, physical integrity, bio-efficacy and survivorship of LLINs to confirm the claimed three-year life of the LLINs. RESULTS: 74.8% of the LLINs were physically present after 30 months of distribution. The numbers (%) of LLINs used previous night varied from 30 to 61% between study villages. 74% respondents were using the LLINs throughout the year and 26% only seasonally. Of the total, 85% of the nets were reported to be washed and 95% nets were dried under shade as recommended. Altogether, 58% of the surveyed nets were found torn with holes. Of these, 74 (57%) nets were in good condition, 10 (8%) nets were in serviceable and 45 (35%) nets were badly torn and needed replacement. A total of 45 (93.75%), 68 (80%) and 71 (63.8%) LLINs were physically present in hilltop, foothill and plain villages, respectively. The LLINs did meet the efficacy criteria, given the 100% mortality to the exposed Anopheles jeyporiensis mosquitoes post 30 months distribution. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study were communicated to the programme officials of the state and LLINs were replenished soon after 31st month post-distribution of LLINs.