Malaria and Notifiable diseases in India

Subject :Science and Technology

Section: Health

Concept :

Malaria is all set to become a notifiable disease across India despite there being a decline in the number of cases.

Details

At present, malaria is a notifiable disease in 33 States and UTs in India.
The latest move is in line with India’s vision to be malaria-free by 2027 and to eliminate the disease by 2030.
India was the only high-burden, high-impact country in the Southeast Asian region to experience a decline in malaria cases in 2020 as compared to 2019.
India experienced an 85.1% decrease in malaria cases and an 83.36% decrease in deaths during 2015-2022.

Notifiable diseases in India

Notifiable diseases are those diseases that are required by law to be reported to government authorities.
This is in line with the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations, 1969 that mandate disease reporting to the organization to help its global surveillance and advisory role.
The collation of information helps the government authorities to monitor the disease and provides early warning of possible outbreaks.
Declaring diseases as legally notifiable by doctors and health professionals facilitates timely interventions to control the spread of highly infectious diseases.
The responsibility of notifying such diseases and the implementation lies with the State government.
The government has declared several diseases as notifiable diseases including diseases like cholera, encephalitis, leprosy, meningitis, plague, tuberculosis, AIDS, hepatitis, measles, yellow fever, dengue, etc.

About Malaria

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by various species of parasitic protozoan microorganisms called
The malarial parasite was discovered by Dr Alphonse Laveran, a military doctor, in 1880.
Malaria is transmitted by an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
The plasmodium parasites multiply and develop inside the liver cells and red blood cells of human beings.
Symptoms: Fever, chills, and headaches are considered mild symptoms, while fatigue, convulsions, and breathing difficulties are among the severe symptoms.
Effective Vector Control is a vital component for the elimination of malaria. Insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are also effective to reduce the transmission of the disease.
April 25 of every year has been commemorated as World Malaria Day since 2007.