Chennai Corporation and four other districts are not shy about taking necessary precautions to prevent another malaria outbreak. Since 2014, health authorities have developed a national framework for malaria elimination by 2030, based on the European calendar.

From 2020 to August 2024, data from the Ministry of Public Health and Preventive Medicine showed that there were no deaths due to malaria.From 1971 to 2023, in addition to a slight increase each year, the number of cases reported in the state also decreased each year. The number of cases increased from 891 in 2020 to 233 in 2024 (as of August).

In fact, the Chennai Corporation expects the total malaria incidence in the state to drop from 80% in 2023 to 45% in 2020 and 40% in 2024.”This decision means saving settlements in 38 districts and ending the tribal problem,” said Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine TS Selvavinayagam. “We are now preparing documentation to establish low prevalence of malaria,” he added.

The region has made great strides in malaria vaccination. “Malaria has been rampant for decades. About 50,000 cases were reported every year from 1990 to 1998. Now the number has gradually come down to zero,” said Dr. Selvaviniyagam.

Active surveillance, prompt treatment of all positive cases, use of insecticides for vector control, home treatment and spraying of insecticide residues have helped the country reduce malaria cases. There are also challenges.

Dr. Selling said migration from disease-affected countries is also a major challenge, apart from lack of awareness and resistance to pesticides and drugs.He said that in the future, the country would focus on solving the refugee problem and take steps to quickly report fever to all hospital.

Sources

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/tn-gets-closer-to-malaria-elimination-goal-nil-deaths-from-2020-to-aug-24/article68678475.ece/amp/