Surat is situated on the bank of river Tapti, which is a perennial river. Hence usually all the creek leading to either the Arabian Sea or to Tapti get flooded during the tides and get drained of during the ebbs. This leaves a plenty of ground for development of vectors of diseases like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc.

This problem is further compounded by the mosquitogenic condition of the city i.e. nearly 40% of the population of Surat leaves in slums, most of them are situated on or around these creek, exposing them to a very high risks of vector borne diseases. The heavy rainfall & humidity favours breeding of mosquito. The migrant population is highest compared to any city of Gujarat. Many Irrigation cannels traverses the city.

In these conditions, it becomes utmost important to take preventive measures for vector borne diseases so that exposures to this diseases are minimized. The role of Vector borne diseases control department is to control and prevent the spread of vector borne diseases. The activities of this department are as below :

Anti-larval Measures

Peri-domestic work :

Peri-domestic work was carried out in the vicinity of 112 Sq. K.M. area. Peridomestic antilarval is being taken regularly at weekly intervals strict supervision is kept over on going constructions, indoor water containers, and seepages of the canals. Moreover close vigil on breeding places for Anopheles and Aedes mosquito is also kept. Last year 10,026 Anopheles, 1,521 Aedes, 23,818 Culex and 8,830 mix breeding places were traced out and they all were treated with selective insecticides.

Intra domestic work :

Approximately 94,91,873 residential houses were surveyed for mosquito breeding places. In this survey 28605, 52719, 1626 and 6590 breeding places of Anopheles, Aedes, Culex and Mix were detected respectively. All these breeding were treated with selective insecticides.

Biological Measures :

An attention is attributed on reduction of breeding sources by adopting biological measures. 54 hatcheries have been developed in different zones from where, fish can be easily available to release in different suitable places.

Anti-Parasitological work

Parasitological Measures :

To Strengthen active case detection 263 surveillance workers were deployed in field for this activity during the year-2005. There are 28 urban health centers through which passive cases are detected. Total 6,06,281 fever cases were detected out of which 8,292 smears were positive for malaria. (P.vivax 5,623 & P.falciparum 2,669)

Night survey (Filaria):

During the year 2005 total 51,683 persons were surveyed & examined for Filaria. Out of this 263 blood smears were found positive for Micro-filaria. All these carriers were fully treated. Around 14,924(100mg) D.E.C. tablets were consumed by these carriers in presence of worker. In filaria clinics 23 persons having acute filarial infection and 68 having chronic infection were detected. They all were treated with anti filarial drugs.

Anti-adult Measures

Insect collection (Mosquito collection)

The annual Filaria, Malaria and Dengue vector density during the year 2005 was 85.61, 0.34 and 0.44 respectively.

Fogging:

Majority areas of the city were taken under fogging with 275-Handy set machines and 9 Vehicle mounted machines. The criteria for fogging is to spray 50 houses around the positive malaria case, the areas where vector density detected and on receiving complaints from the local citizens.

Health Education

Along with the active surveillance work, the surveillance workers also impart health education among the public for prevention of vector borne diseases. School health programmes, street meetings and meetings amongst members of Mahila Mandal, Anganwadi, NGOs are organised to impart knowledge of Malaria. Live mosquito demonstrations are shown in school puppet shows, Street plays are performed in slum areas, The advertisement in local T.V. channels and local dailies is given during anti malaria month. The live debate shows of malaria are organised in local T.V. channels.

Legislative Measures

The prosecution is done against the person when breeding of mosquitoes are detected in their houses. Total 1,821 complaints were filed before honourable court during the reporting year and honourable court ordered fine of Rs.1,18,110/- from these offenders. The administrative charges of Rs.9,45,165/- was recovered from the defaulters for creating nuisance of mosquito.