How does NVBDCP control malaria in India?

Malaria has been a persistent issue in India, and to address this, the National Anti-Malaria Programme was launched in 1953. The program aims to reduce malaria transmission to a level where it no longer poses a significant public health threat. NVBDCP continues to work in tandem with this initiative to further reduce malaria cases through strategies like vector control, early diagnosis, and treatment.

What specific steps are taken for the control of diseases like Kala-azar and Filariasis?

For Kala-azar, NVBDCP focuses on reducing the vector population (the flies that transmit the disease), early identification of infected cases, and community mobilisation for awareness and control measures. For Filariasis, the program uses anti-larval and anti-parasitic treatments to control the disease in both urban and rural areas. It was first initiated through the National Filaria Control Programme in 1955.

How does NVBDCP handle the prevention and control of Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis?

The Dengue Control Programme under NVBDCP focuses on disease detection, reporting, active case finding, community involvement in vector control, and capacity building for local implementation of dengue control measures. For Japanese Encephalitis, the programme emphasizes early identification, vector control (mainly mosquitoes), community mobilisation, and immunisation for vulnerable groups, particularly children.

Which diseases are covered under NVBDCP?

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) focuses on combating several major vector-borne diseases in India. These include Malaria, Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis), Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), and both Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). These illnesses are primarily transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes and flies. The programme aims to control and reduce the spread and impact of these diseases through various prevention, surveillance, and treatment strategies.

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Understanding India's National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme

Q: What is the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP)?

The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), launched in 2003-04, is a government initiative to control and eradicate vector-borne diseases in India. It focuses on malaria, dengue, kala-azar, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis through various strategies such as prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and community mobilisation.

Alankar Mishra

Author

Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:36 AM

Understanding India's National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme

India’s National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) addresses key issues surrounding managing and controlling vector-borne diseases. Initiated in 2003-04, the programme targets the control and eradication of such diseases as malaria, dengue, kala-azar, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis. Through this focus, NVBDCP lays down the foundations for improved health in the country to help eradicate diseases.

Through this article, you will understand this government health scheme in detail, including all the different government programs under it.

Overview

Programme Name	National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP)
Launched	2003-04
Focus Diseases	Malaria, Kala-azar, Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue
Implementing Agency	National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
Primary Objective	Reduce disease burden and prevent vector-borne illnesses
Key Strategies	Prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, community mobilisation
Target Areas	High-risk states and regions

What Is The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme?

The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme was started in 2003-04 by integrating different disease control programmes. As for its duties, it intends to monitor and suppress vector-borne illnesses such as malaria, kala-azar, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and dengue over India. As such, this program is very important in minimising the effects of these diseases on human health.

Which Diseases Are Covered Under This Programme?

The programme focuses on controlling several vector-borne diseases, the list of these diseases includes:

Malaria
Kala-azar
Filariasis
Japanese Encephalitis
Dengue fever & DHF

What Is The National Anti-Malaria Programme?

Malaria has always remained a major problem in India. This was the reason, at the time of independence, the figure of malaria cases and deaths that occurred every year was millions. The National Anti-Malaria Programme was launched in 1953 to decrease malaria transmission to a level which would not pose a threat as a disease of public health importance.

What Is The Kala-azar Control Programme?

Kala-azar or Visceral Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease which occurs due to a protozoa parasite and is transmitted through the bite of a fly. It is more prevalent in areas such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Kala-azar Control Programme addresses issues such as reduction of the vector population, early identification of the cases and community mobilisation.

What Is The National Filaria Control Programme?

Filariasis is a disease which can be transmitted for many years and attacked by parasites and mosquitoes. It impacts many of the states in India too. The National Filaria Control Programme was started in 1955 to control the elements of the disease in the urban and rural areas by anti-larval and anti-parasitic means.

What Is The Japanese Encephalitis Control Programme?

JE is an acute viral illness that occurs as an infectious disease which is transmitted through Mosquitoes [Culex]. There have been reports of the condition in several states and is very much a public health menace, particularly to youngsters. Predominantly the Japanese encephalitis control program focuses on early identification, community mobilisation, vector control and immunisation for endangered population groups.

What Is The Dengue And Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Control Programme?

Dengue is one of the most threatening and revived vector-borne mosquito tropical diseases in India. Chikungunya is an illness that results from the break out of four different virus serotypes and is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The Dengue Control Programme deals with Disease detection and reporting, outreach, active case finding and reporting, community involvement in vector control and control and capacity building for implementing dengue control measures.

Conclusion

NVBDCP is an aggregated interface by the Indian government to drive back vector-borne diseases, including mosquitoes and other arthropod-borne illnesses. Once implemented, the program will focus on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and community mobilisation to minimise the impact of these diseases on the country’s health.

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