ahc volume i, issue 1 july, 2021 foundati on

Highlights (2020) Online Capacity Building Entomological Intelligence Topics Covered during Entomological Intelligence Strengthening 2020 Accomplishments of AHCF in 2020 Felicitation to Great Entomologists on ‘World Mosquito Day’-20th August 2020

AHCF NEWSLETTER

Volume I, Issue 1

July, 2021

EDITORIALAbsolute Human Care Foundation (AHCF) is a non-profit organisation and visualizes the society where the issues of people particularly health, education are well managed and controlled with no impoverished section through holistic approach. AHCF is committed to contribute towards growth and development of health, education, agriculture and skill development through strengthening capacity and capability of different sections of society focusing on health with special emphasis on prevention of vector-borne diseases.

The Foundation conceptualised the capacity building on improving entomological intelligence during the pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020. The efforts were given a practical shape by the directors, the collaborators from academic institutions, advisors, resource faculties, sponsors, and most importantly by the participants showing their sustained interest and enthusiasm during this endeavour. Initial response of attendees from 18th July 2020 was so tremendous that 43 sessions continued till 20th December 2020 which is a very long duration. The appreciation and involvement of resource faculties from the country as well as abroad at foundation’s platform played a crucial role in accomplishing the task successfully and keeping sustained interest of the participants through their attendance not less than 120–150 for each of the 43 sessions and even in some sessions, it crossed 300 which was a great achievement (Shown in highlights of 2020). This has not only boosted our morale but also gave a glimpse of need for strengthening capacity across the country at different level.

PATRONProfessor A.P. Dash

DIRECTORSDr R.R. SharmaDr R.S. SharmaDr P.K. Srivastava

Dr Rajiv Jetley

Editor-in-ChiefDr Sushma Srivastava

EditorV.K. Srivastava

Editorial TeamDr Jayalakshmi K.Dr Amit KatewaMs Usha A. Dr Anju Viswan K. Ms Sagya SinghMs Bhagyasree M. R.

Helping to Shape Future of India

AHCFOUNDATION

What’s Inside

FROM THE ACADEMIA Innovative Studies for Mosquito Surveillance by

Dr Anupam Varshney Sharma and Mr Kiran Kumar Salam

Hazards of Washing Detergents by Dr Anupam Varshney Sharma

Anti-Malaria Month-2021 by Dr R.S. Sharma and Dr P.K. Srivastava

National Dengue Day Observation:

16th May 2021, Kerala by Sasi M

FOOD FOR THOUGHTPromenading into the

Paradigm of Scrub Typhus by Ms S.K. Farhat

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Activities of AHCF in 2021

LEAD ARTICLE STATE EXPERIENCERelease of Proceedings

Anti-Dengue Month

World Mosquito Day- Observance

Upcoming Events

Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases: Need for Inter-sectoral Coordination during COVID-19 Pandemic by Dr. Naveen Rai Tuli

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Volume I, Issue 1 July, 2021

AHCF Accomplishments: 2020

1. Capacity Building: Absolute Human Care Foundation (AHCF) conceptualised the Capacity Building on Improving Entomological Intelligence during the pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020. The efforts were given a practical shape by the directors, the collaborators from academic institutions, advisors, resource faculties, sponsors, and most importantly by the participants showing their sustained interest and enthusiasm during this endeavour.

Initial response of attendees from 18th July 2020 was so tremendous that the 43 sessions of the training continued till 20th December 2020 on weekly basis. The appreciation and involvement of resource faculties from the country as well as abroad at the Foundation’s platform played a crucial role in accomplishing the task successfully. Participants’ attendance was not less than 120–150 for each of the 43 sessions and in some sessions, it crossed 300 which showed their keen interest. This not only boosted our morale, but also gave a glimpse of the need for strengthening capacity across the country at different level.

2. Skill Enhancement: The participants from the state services, academic and research institutions got benefitted by improving their skills. Participants regularly attending sessions were awarded certificates.

3. Felicitation of two eminent Entomologists namely, Sh N.L. Kalra ji and Sh C. Krishna Rao ji on World Mosquito Day.

4. Invited Lectures by AHCF Directors in year 2020:

a. Dr R.S. Sharma was invited by Udaipur Univeristy for Webinar Presentation on: Impact of Covid on Malaria Elimination in India, in May 2020.

b. Dr R.S. Sharma was invited by Carrier Point University, Himachal Pradesh as Speaker for: International Conference on Covid-19 and Infectious Diseases, in May 2020.

c. Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) invited for panel discussions on: The Persistent Dangers Posed by Mosquito Borne Diseases, in June 2020.

d. Surendranath College, Kolkata invited Dr R.S. Sharma to deliver talk on: Does Malaria Elimination under Threat due to COVID-19, in June 2020.

e. Surendranath College, Kolkata invited Dr P.K. Srivastava on Synergy between Vector Control and Sanitization during COVID-19 in June 2020.

f. WHO-NVBDCP Joint Webinar on IVM in sync with GVCR invited Dr R.S. Sharma to present his talk on Entomological Surveillance and Dr P.K. Srivastava to present his talk on Entomological Priorities in July 2020.

g. APMEN Technical Talk September 2020: Role of Status of Bed Nets, IRS & Insecticide Resistance in Asia Pacific by Dr P.K. Srivastava along with other experts.

h. Dr P.K. Srivastava was invited by India Working Group, APCASO and GFAN to participate on webinar discussions on the topic: Health Budget Advocacy in August 2020.

i. For India–South Africa Bilateral Public Health Webinar in October 2020, AHC Foundation was one of the partners with its three directors participating, viz.; Dr R.S. Sharma, Dr P.K. Srivastava, and Dr R.R. Sharma.

j. Capacity Building of Entomological Manpower Involved in VBD Control Activities with Emphasis on Malaria Elimination, Odisha State: AHCF resource faculties were invited to deliver lectures during 20–27 November 2020.

Helping to Shape Future of India

AHCFOUNDATION

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National Dengue Day Observation: 16th May 2021, KeralaSasi M

The directions received from NVBDCP Delhi regarding observation of National Dengue Day was sent to DMO(H) of all districts for taking necessary steps. Even though the state was under lock-down due to COVID 19 it was directed to conduct online meetings, discussions and to give wide publicity of dengue prevention and control activities through social media following the theme “Prevention of Dengue Starts from Home”.

National Dengue Day Observation: 16th May 2021, Kerala The directions received from NVBDCP Delhi regarding observation of National Dengue Day was sent to DMO(H) of all districts for taking necessary steps. Even though the state was under lock-down due to COVID 19 it was directed to conduct online meetings, discussions and to give wide publicity of dengue prevention and control activities through social media following the theme “Prevention of Dengue Starts from Home” (ഡെങ്കിപ്പനിപ്രതിര ോധംവീട്ടിൽനിന്നോ ംഭം). On 16th May 2021, a zoom meeting was conducted by the Hon’ble Health Minister in connection with observance of National Dengue Day and Pre-monsoon Preparedness in the State. Principal Secretary (H&FW), SMD (NHM), DHS, ADHS (PH) & SPO (NVBDCP) and other state level officers, DMO(H)s, DPMs, DSOs, DVBDCOs and other Program Officers participated. As people who were remaining in their homes due to lock-down were asked to conduct Dry Day Observation (source reduction) inside and outside their houses. This activity was monitored by local health staff including Ward level teams. In addition to houses, institutional visits, visit of plantations, construction sites and migrant sites were also done. On 17th May 2021, a state level webinar was conducted by state NVBDCP HQ under the leadership of ADHS(PH) & SPO(NVBDCP), Dy. DHS(NVBDCP), AD(Entomology) and AD (Filaria). District Vector Borne Disease Control Officers, Biologists, VBD Consultants, Zonal Entomologists etc participated in the program. In addition to this, IVM activities were conducted in dengue reported areas. Aedes survey, source reduction, larvicide spraying, Indoor Space Spray and thermal fogging were conducted. District Vector Control Units in all districts were involved in Aedes survey as well as IVM. Special attention was given to dengue outbreak areas in Eranakulam, Kozhikkode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. These activities were extended up to 20th May. In some districts, trainings were also conducted. COVID protocols were followed during field level as well as institutional level activities. Different types of IEC materials on prevention and control of dengue fever including personal protection were prepared at state level and district level and given wide publicity through SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram etc. In various districts zoom meetings were arranged for Kudumbasree workers, ASHA, Anganwadi workers, Resident Associations, NSS, NYK, voluntary organisations and public and sensitised them. Awards were given for best performing wards in some districts.

On 16th May 2021, a zoom meeting was conducted by the Hon’ble Health Minister in connection with observance of National Dengue Day and Pre-monsoon Preparedness in the State. Principal Secretary (H&FW), SMD (NHM), DHS, ADHS (PH) & SPO (NVBDCP) and other state level officers, DMO(H)s, DPMs, DSOs, DVBDCOs and other Program Officers participated. As people who were remaining in their homes due to lock-down were asked to conduct Dry Day Observation (source reduction) inside and outside their houses. This activity was monitored by local health staff including Ward level teams. In addition to houses, institutional visits, visit of plantations, construction sites and migrant sites were also done.

On 17th May 2021, a state level webinar was conducted by state NVBDCP HQ under the leadership of ADHS(PH) & SPO(NVBDCP), Dy. DHS(NVBDCP), AD(Entomology) and AD (Filaria). District Vector Borne Disease Control Officers, Biologists, VBD Consultants, Zonal Entomologists etc participated in the program.

In addition to this, IVM activities were conducted in dengue reported areas. Aedes survey, source reduction, larvicide spraying, Indoor Space Spray and thermal fogging were conducted. District Vector Control Units in all districts were involved in Aedes survey as well as IVM. Special attention was given to dengue outbreak areas in Eranakulam, Kozhikkode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. These activities were extended up to 20th May. In some districts, trainings were also conducted. COVID protocols were followed during field level as well as institutional level activities.

Different types of IEC materials on prevention and control of dengue fever including personal protection were prepared at state level and district level and given wide publicity through SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram etc. In various districts zoom meetings were arranged for Kudumbasree workers, ASHA, Anganwadi workers, Resident Associations, NSS, NYK, voluntary organisations and public and sensitised them. Awards were given for best performing wards in some districts.

GALLERY OF IEC MATERIALS IN KERALA

Contributor ProfileAssistant Director (Entomology)

Directorate of Health Services, Kerala

State Experience

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Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases: Need for Inter-sectoral Coordination during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Naveen Rai TuliWorld Health Organization has emphasized that Prevention and Control of Dengue is every one’s concern. Aedes mosquito has diverse breeding habitat and beyond purview of Public Health department alone to prevent and control breeding. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) emphasizes involvement of various stakeholders viz., Engineering, Sanitation, Water Supply, Municipal Services, Horticulture, Education, Agriculture etc. which are non-health departments but essential during Inter-sectoral coordination. Singapore has shown a successful model, where Vector control has been vested with National Environment Agency—a Non-Health Department.

Despite massive efforts on advocacy for Inter-sectoral coordination, it remains a challenging task due to perception and ownership. The stakeholders often feel that either Public Health Department is shifting their responsibility or unable to fulfill their job. Public Health authorities need to impress more upon higher echelon about the need for this coordination with stake-holders and a will at highest political level can go a long way.

COVID 19 pandemic has further accentuated the problem. A nation-wide lockdown was imposed in March 2020 to halt further transmission of COVID-19 in community. Lockdown had its own challenges where all offices/ institutions/ schools were suddenly closed and water storage/ containers and even uncovered overhead tanks were left unattended. Construction activities were seized down and these sites remained neglected with breeding sites. Water bodies and drains remained full of floating material and Hyacinth as the offices were closed and process for their cleaning could not be undertaken. Engineering stores, workshops, bus depots etc. remained neglected sites. Intermittent rains created multiple breeding sites in these neglected unapproachable sites. Entomological Surveillance of Government Buildings revealed rising trend in Container Index.

Public Health Department South Zone, SDMC organized an Inter-sectoral Coordination Committee meeting on 18th June 2021 under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, South Zone with an objective to sensitize all stakeholders on the problem of mosquito breeding in the government gffices/ institutions and their roles and responsibilities for corrective measures before onset of monsoons as the breeding from these sites and neglected containers will spill over to multiple sites created by rains. The departments which attended this Meeting were DDA, CPWD, DJB, PWD, Police Stations, Horticulture department, Horticulture department, Flood control & Irrigation, Archeological Survey of India, Maintenance and Sanitation department of SDMC, representatives from hospitals and from District

Administration etc. Members from hospitals were informed that all Hospitals/ Dispensaries are Zero Tolerance Zone for mosquito breeding. Engineers from departments maintaining government buildings were requested to inspect government buildings and their overhead tanks etc. During Anti Malaria month and upcoming Dengue Month, such meetings may help in awareness generation and strengthening Stakeholders involved in control of dengue and Malaria Elimination Programme.

Contributor ProfileDeputy Health Officer

South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi.

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Container Index observed in Government Buildings

Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases: Need for Inter-sectoral Coordination during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Naveen Rai Tuli

World Health Organization has emphasized that Prevention and Control of Dengue is every one’s concern. Aedes mosquito has diverse breeding habitat and beyond purview of Public Health department alone to prevent and control breeding. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) emphasizes involvement of variousstakeholders viz., Engineering, Sanitation, Water Supply, Municipal Services, Horticulture, Education, Agriculture etc. which are non-health departments butessential during Inter-sectoral coordination. Singapore has shown a successfulmodel, where Vector control has been vested with National Environment Agency—aNon-Health Department. Despite massive efforts on advocacy for Inter-sectoral coordination, it remains achallenging task due to perception and ownership. The stakeholders often feel that either Public Health Department is shifting their responsibility or unable to fulfill their job. Public Health authorities need to impress more upon higher echelon about the need for this coordination with stake-holders and a will at highest political level can go a long way.COVID 19 pandemic has further accentuated the problem. A nation-wide lockdown was imposed in March 2020 to halt further transmission of COVID-19 in community. Lockdown had its own challenges where all offices/ institutions/ schools were suddenly closed and water storage/ containers and even uncovered overhead tanks were left unattended. Construction activities were seized down and these sites remained neglected with breeding sites. Water bodies and drains remained full of floating material and Hyacinth as the offices were closed andprocess for their cleaning could not be undertaken. Engineering stores, workshops, bus depots etc.remained neglected sites. Intermittent rains created multiple breeding sites in these neglected unapproachable sites.Entomological Surveillance ofGovernment Buildings revealed rising trend in Container Index.

State Experience

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From the AcademiaUse of Unmanned Aerial Baited Updraft Trap for Mosquitoes Surveillance underIntegrated Vector (Mosquito) Management

Dr Anupam Varshney Sharma* and Mr Kiran Kumar Salam **

A short-term innovation project on attractant-baited adult trap for efficient collection of the adult mosquito and its control at the domestic and community level especially for Aedes mosquitoes is underway. The system consists of a baited updraft box with a suction fan drawing mosquitoes in with no exit space. Chemicals like natural attractants are developed for luring mosquitoes into the traps for both monitoring and control purposes. Unmanned aerial vehicle systems or micro-drones can provide several benefits to effectively implement in order to fulfill objective both at the domestic and local level. The trap is relatively simple but effective and can facilitate wider surveillance of the area. This model aims at using the trap to enhance mosquito surveillance without jeopardizing natural ecosystem, adverse impact on human health and augment enzootic and epidemic surveillance programs. It can provide much needed information about the mosquito density and its behavior with reference to ecological settings. The model can be used as surveillance tool both under programme and research.The traps can provide an early warning system for detecting incipient invasion where Aedes mosquitoes have not been established. The logistics of monitoring arbovirus activity in remote locations can also be achieved by using unmanned-aerial trap.

The project also focuses on identifying information on entomological thresholds, so that targeted control strategies could be specifically designed to reduce Aedes populations to levels that predictably diminish or prevent virus transmission. The project has envisaged to address these issues and generate evidence, so that the targeted control strategy based on data can be used to achieve different control goals consistent overtime and space to be of practical utility.

Contributors’ Profile*Associate Professor

**Assistant Professor (Ad-Hoc)Department of Zoology, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007

Implications of Scientific studies in our daily life: The Chemical Dishwashing Agents and Threat to Human Health”

Dr Anupam Varshney SharmaA short-term innovation project on attractant-baited adult trap for efficient collection of the adult mosquito and its control at the domestic and community level especially for Aedes mosquitoes is underway. The system consists of a baited updraft box with a suction fan drawing mosquitoes in with no exit space. Chemicals like natural attractants are developed for luring mosquitoes into the traps for both monitoring and control purposes. Unmanned aerial vehicle systems or micro-drones can provide several benefits to effectively implement in order to fulfill objective both at the domestic and local level. The trap is relatively simple but effective and can facilitate wider surveillance of the area. This model aims at using the trap to enhance mosquito surveillance without jeopardizing natural ecosystem, adverse impact on human health and augment enzootic and epidemic surveillance programs. It can provide much needed information about the mosquito density and its behavior with reference to ecological settings. The model can be used as surveillance tool both under programme and research.The traps can provide an early warning system for detecting incipient invasion where Aedes mosquitoes have not been established. The logistics of monitoring arbovirus activity in remote locations can also be achieved by using unmanned-aerial trap.

The project also focuses on identifying information on entomological thresholds, so that targeted control strategies could be specifically designed to reduce Aedes populations to levels that predictably diminish or prevent virus transmission. The project has envisaged to address these issues and generate evidence, so that the targeted control strategy based on data can be used to achieve different control goals consistent overtime and space to be of practical utility.

Contributor ProfileAssistant Professor

Department of Zoology, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007

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Food for ThoughtPromenading into the Paradigm of Scrub Typhus

Ms S.K. FarhatPaulo Coelho once said, “There is only one think that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

And my dream of successful completion of Masters on Epidemiology and Public Health from Central University of Tamil Nadu was possible along with working on Scrub Typhus, which is an emerging disease being reported across the country. Initially, I felt myself as a Lilliputian into gigantic world of vectors when my guide suggested the topic on Scrub Typhus, which has been an under-reported, under-diagnosed and a neglected topic till today, compared to other targeted mosquito borne diseases like Malaria, where the national programmes since 1953 are conscious for its elimination.

Gradually, I developed interest on Scrub Typhus when I had an exposure with Vector Control Research Centre – ICMR Puducherry and got the opportunity to interact with the renowned senior scientists from all over the nation, at SOVE Workshop on ‘Entomological Vector-Borne Capacity Building Programme 2020 at Puducherry. There, they shared their experiences in the field of battling the various vector-borne diseases like Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Malaria was more live and interesting than the printed textbook theories. Also, I got the opportunity to discuss about my queries with the Scrub Typhus expert Dr Rina Tilak and the motivation level reached to very high to work further on Scrub Typhus.

The budding scientists must find an opportunity to work on Scrub Typhus along with the guidance of experts to enlighten these neglected diseases.

I wish to give a message through this Newsletter of AHCF that this platform being embedded with experts can be a better start-up for the upcoming researchers who wish to work on vector-borne diseases.

Contributor ProfileAlumni 2020 - Central University of Tamil Nadu

Research Assistant, National Environmental Health Profile StudyMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, ICMR-NIREH, Bhopal

ahc volume i, issue 1 july, 2021 foundati on

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