Every year, August 20 is observed as “World Mosquito Day” to mark the day when British scientist Sir Ronald Ross, during his time in India, discovered the link between the Anopheles mosquito and malaria. To commemorate this year’s World Mosquito Day, Dr Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, Ex Joint Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, led the “APMENxChange: A Century of Vector Control in India: Lessons that have been learned.” 

India has a long history of fighting against mosquitoes. Numerous mosquito species caused many illnesses or what we call vector-borne diseases (VBDs).  Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar and Lymphatic filariasis, are just some of these fatal diseases that claimed millions of lives in the country. 

Among all the VBDs in India, malaria contributes the lion’s share. In 1909, India officially began their battle against malaria by establishing the Central Malaria Bureau to undertake studies on entomological aspects of malaria. Since then, India has contributed substantially to malaria research and strategies for its control, from forming a national malaria elimination task force to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s endorsement of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Elimination Roadmap to eliminate this disease by 2030.

Thanks to the combined efforts of stakeholders from public, private, non-profit organizations, scientific and local communities, India reduced its malaria burden from an estimated 75 million cases per annum in the 1940s to about 100,000 in the late 1960s. More recently, India recorded an outstanding 1.2 million reduction of malaria cases in 2018-19. Drug resistance, cross border malaria coupled with COVID-19 disruption threatens this progress. 

What more can be done to close the gap and bring this century-old journey to an end? 

Dr Pradeep shared three critical areas that need to be applied (or maintained) in the fight against VBDs and malaria: 

• Strengthening of entomology and vector control program. These major pillars of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program will continue to be India’s frontline defence against VBDs. From the capacity building of entomologists to adequate resources, gaps need to be addressed to ensure the country is equipped. 
• Improving tools to address evolving parasites. Existing tools can achieve local elimination, but the battle is becoming harder as mosquitoes evolve. India would have to adapt and respond with better tools and strategies. These could include new vector control tools, feasibility of long-lasting insecticidal residual analysis, expansion of Larval Source Management, entomological Surveillance & Insecticide Resistance Monitoring.
• Collaborating with partners and countries. There are great opportunities to collaborate with a variety of technical institutions and NGOs to fulfil the national program's mission. Stakeholder engagement and multi-sectoral cooperation will be key to reach vulnerable populations. Similarly, working with other countries would be critical at a time when cross-border malaria continues to pose a huge threat to the country. He called for a commitment to collaborate with partners in the region including APLMA and APMEN to ensure political commitment, sharing of data and technical expertise are sustained to achieve not just a malaria-free India, but a malaria-free region by 2030.  

Watch the full APMENxChange webinar