Vector Borne Diseases in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC): Achievements and Challenges

The proposal to control malaria in towns, named as Urban Malaria Scheme was approved during 1971 and it was envisaged that 131 towns would be covered under the scheme in a phased manner. Madhok Committee in 1970 investigated the problem and assessed that 10 to 12% of the total cases of malaria were contributed by urban areas. The committee recommended anti larval measures for containment of urban malaria, because it was feared that proliferation from urban to rural may spread and nullify the gains already made. Demographic and societal changes, unplanned urbanization, construction activities, increase in slum clusters, large scale migration contributed to increased vector breeding potential in urban areas. Insufficient capacities of the civic bodies to deal with water supply, sewage and solid waste disposal led to an all round disruption. Intermittent water supply led to increased water storage practices, which resulted in extensive breeding of An. stephensi, vector of urban malaria. During XII Plan, it has been proposed to provide diagnostic and treatment facilities by establishment of malaria clinics @ 1 clinic per 20000 population with special focus to urban slums, involvement of other sectors/ private providers for diagnosis, treatment and reporting, Integrated Vector Management by larval control through source reduction, chemical larviciding and use of larvivorous fish and minor engineering and also adoption of Model civic bye- laws for prevention and control of vector breeding. The issue of increase in slum clusters, influx of population, construction activities, water scarcity, and storage practices need to be kept in mind for making a comprehensive action plan to deal with the vector borne disease in urban areas. The role of private practitioners in the urban areas is very crucial in the diagnosis and treatment following national guidelines. Presently, UMS is functional in metro cities namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chenna, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. The epidemiological situation is totally dependent on the local inherent factors such as level of migratory population, construction activities, developmental projects, creation of slum clusters and water storage practices etc., which play a key role in the transmission dynamics of VBDs in these mega cities. An attempt has been made to bring out the present situation of vector borne diseases (VBDs) in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) with respect to ongoing implementation of NVBDCP strategy for the prevention and control and the challenges faced.