Health Secretary reviews preparation of States to address Dengue Secretary (HFW) Shri B P Sharma reviewed the preparation of states to address Dengue in the coming months through video conference with the Principal Health Secretaries/Director Health Services/State Mission Directors/State Health Officials of 33 States/UTs. The two-day video-conference was held on 2nd and 3rd March, 2016. Secretary (HFW) reviewed the dengue situation in the States along with preparation for the ensuing transmission period in north and central States and ongoing efforts for control of dengue in the southern States (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, etc.) The advance review at the level of the Health Secretary with the States was done in view of the predicted upsurge of vector borne diseases due to global warming and El Nino effect. Total of 19 States/UTs viz., Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, West Bengal, A & N Islands, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Puducherry participated in the video-conference on 2nd March, 2016 whereas 14 States/UTs viz., Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh participated on 3rd March, 2016. In the interaction with the States, it was pointed that as there is no specific drug or vaccine for Dengue, vector control measures constitute a priority action agenda. As the same vector mosquito transmits Zika also, timely preparation would help in prevention of transmission of Zika too. During the conference, the following aspects related to vector control for dengue were emphasized: Intensification of vector control Effective community participation towards prevention and control of Dengue Inter-sectoral coordination Filling up the vacant posts of Entomologists at the State, Zone and District level All States to make Dengue as a notifiable disease which has been done by some States. To be vigilant for keeping International Airports/Seaports Aedes-free as a preventive measure against possible entry of Zika virus. In addition, best practices in vector control across States were also shared. It was also informed that Government of India will soon launch a Mobile App to empower the community for mosquito control and creating awareness about prevention and control of Dengue.
