Mumbai: The ‘trace and treat’ strategy, which was pivotal in controlling Covid during the pandemic, will now be more systematically adopted to combat dengue and malaria in the city. BMC authorities said that the globally adopted ‘1-3-7’ approach—which entails reporting cases within one day, investigating in three days, and implementing control measures within seven days — will be central to the city’s dengue and malaria action plans that are being finalised. Earlier this week, a two-day workshop aimed at making Mumbai malaria and dengue-free was held. Experts from the World Health Organisation, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Delhi corporation officials, and doctors from the community medicine department of city’s medical colleges attended to discuss best ways to combat transmission. Last year, the city recorded over 7,000 malaria cases and more than 5,500 dengue cases, with dengue resulting in double-digit fatalities. Dr Badri Thapa, team leader for communicable diseases at WHO India, emphasized the 1-3-7 strategy for malaria control and stressed the importance of closely investigating outbreaks. Dr Sudhakar Shinde, additional municipal commissioner, said that the action plans will focus on analysing hotspots from the past three years to understand why certain areas report more cases and identify the responsible factors, whether environmental or man-made, such as construction activity. BMC’s public health officials said that while the test and treat strategy is already in place to some extent, it will be further streamlined. “Treatment is not as much of an issue, but tracking is,” said Dr Daksha Shah, BMC’s executive health officer. She added that, unlike Delhi where dengue is the bigger problem, Mumbai’s main challenge remains malaria, although dengue cases have been consistently rising over the years. She said that a significant challenge lies in market areas like C ward, which have a large floating population. “People get tested there but don’t live there, making tracing them a massive challenge,” she said. The action plans will also focus on closer engagement with the private sector.
We also published the following articles recently
Dengue scare grips areas off Whitefield in Bengaluru
Epidemic fear looms over the shantytown along Borewell Road in Nallurahalli, near Whitefield, as over 150 residents contract dengue in just about a week.
Actress Namratha Gowda battles Dengue; Urges precaution
Kannada TV actress Namratha Gowda, known for her role in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10, battles dengue fever, sparking concern and support from fans.
