Gujarat conducts record 94 lakh malaria tests as monsoon vector-borne disease surveillance intensifies
Gandhinagar, July 17 (IANS/WISHAVWARTA) The Gujarat Health Department has conducted over 94 lakh malaria tests this year as it intensifies surveillance and preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon, with more than 19,500 health teams covering 6.51 crore people across the state through house-to-house visits.
According to the state government, the campaign is being carried out under the ‘National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme’ under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Health Minister Praful Pansheriya to curb the spread of malaria, dengue and chikungunya during the monsoon season.
Health officials said a record 94 lakh blood samples have been collected so far in 2026 for the early detection of malaria. Of these, 486 people tested positive and all have been provided free treatment by the government.
To strengthen diagnosis of other vector-borne diseases, special diagnostic centres have been set up at 42 hospitals attached to medical colleges across Gujarat.
These centres have tested 65,293 serum samples for dengue and 9,963 serum samples for chikungunya. The department has also stepped up field surveillance.
During the second round of the state’s house-to-house campaign, more than 19,500 health teams covered a population of over 6.51 crore.
Officials said people with fever symptoms were screened during the visits, leading to the identification of 28 new malaria cases, with treatment initiated immediately.
As part of vector control measures, more than 29 lakh mosquito breeding sites have been destroyed across the state. Fogging operations have also been carried out in more than three lakh houses to reduce mosquito populations.
To provide longer-term mosquito control, larvivorous fish that feed on mosquito larvae have been introduced at 4,998 locations where stagnant water remains throughout the year.
“The first round of insecticide spraying has covered a population of about 1.06 lakh people in 116 villages across 24 districts identified as sensitive to vector-borne diseases. The second round of spraying is scheduled to begin on August 1,” officals noted.
Pansheriya appealed to sarpanches across Gujarat to provide administrative and social support to make the campaign against vector-borne diseases a people’s movement.
The Health Department said adequate stocks of anti-malaria medicines, insecticides and larvicides have been made available across the state, while awareness campaigns are being carried out through social and print media.
“The overall disease situation is being monitored on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to track the spread of vector-borne diseases and guide the state’s response,” officials added.
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