Last year, malaria claimed 145 victims and affected nearly 77,000 in the city. The Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) in Pondicherry, which is part of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is developing biological agents that kill the larvae of all species of mosquitoes.
The product is in final stages of testing with field trials and is expected to be in the market at a reasonable price in 8-9 months.
In Mumbai, scientists from the Haffkine Institute of Research and Training Centre (HIRTC) Parel, will soon be visiting different parts of the city to collect samples of mosquitoes to scan them for dengue, chickungunya and the malarial parasite. This project is expected to be completed in the next three months.
Dr Abhay Chowdhary, director of HIRTC, said, “The research will reveal the density of mosquitoes and disease-prone areas. After completion of the report, we will submit it to the state health department. Apart from this, we will also organise workshops for the public to help them understand how the diseases spread and how they can help control it.”
