New Delhi: To counter vector-borne diseases, Andhra Pradesh Government has set an ambitious target of wiping out Malaria from 26 districts of the State by 2030 and achieving the sustainability of the incidence of Malaria to less than 1 case per 1,000 population in all the districts by 2024.

Notably Andhra Pradesh has bagged national awards for the past three years for its efforts to eliminate Malaria. Health Department officials said effort is being made to ensure that in the areas where malaria has been eradicated, it does not get retransmitted. At the same time, the transmission of malaria will be curbed throughout the State.

Malaria cases have increased in 2022-23 compared to the previous two financial years. Mostly, cases have been reported in tribal areas of Alluri Sitarama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam and Eluru districts.

To tackle the disease, in a campaign mode emphasis is being laid on community participation. The focus is more on effective sanitation and elimination of breeding grounds for mosquitoes. To understand the pattern, the number of fever surveys will be increased.

Anti-larval operation has been started in the areas where the reports of more mosquito infestation were reported in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts. Funding from the Centre too is expected for the eradication of malaria in the State.

Distribution of mosquito nets, where incidence of malaria and other vector-borne diseases have been reported, will be taken up in a big way as part of the action plan.

With the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), real-time data is being uploaded, enabling health officials to make quick decisions. The private hospitals are being asked to upload the information they have of Malaria cases on IHIP. /BI/