Guidelines for vector surveillance and its control at international airports and ports in India

Abstract

International Health Regulations (IHR) were brought into consideration during 1969 to which all the member states were required to notify to WHO any specific disease outbreaks/ public health emergencies of international concern within 24 hours through focal point, maintain sanitary standards at international borders and PoE as prescribed under IHR. In May 2005, the Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly adopted the new International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), which came into force in July 2007. In the IHR, state parties are requested to designate airports, and ports that shall develop core capacities requirements, and where justified for public health reasons, may also designate ground crossing. To prevent the threat to Yellow Fever, Zika, Dengue/DHF, KFD, CCHF, Plaque etc., although efforts are being made to address the issue of prevention and control of vector borne diseases, yet lot is to be done in terms of infra-structure strengthening, capacity building, proper planning, implementation and strict monitoring and supervisions at all levels at the grassroot level. An attempt has been made in this regard to address the issue of vectors of Dengue/DHF, Zika, Yellow Fever and Rodents, flies and cockroaches. The guidelines regarding vector surveillance and control may be used as a basis for at PoEs i.e. International airports/ seaports. The development of a management plan for preparing and performing vector surveillance and applying public health measures within the framework of the 2005 IHR is the need of hour and should be a main focus. The primary aim of developing these guidelines is to assist public health authorities at PoE in strengthening core capacities and managing vector surveillance and control programmes by providing technical guidance and skills on the optimal use of resources, planning, monitoring, and decision-making.