Age and sex distribution trends of SARS-CoV-2 infections: Insights from three epidemic waves in Puducherry, India.

Introduction: This study analyzed the age and sex distribution of COVID-19 patients during the initial three COVID-19 waves in Puducherry, India, from August 2020 to March 2022, to understand the distribution of infection across different demographic groups.

Methods: The disease surveillance program conducted at ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre processed 79,705 Throat Swab/Nasal Swab (TSNS) samples received from various institutions in Puducherry through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was performed following approved protocols.

Impacts of the seasonal climates, host preference and domestic habitat environment on the abundance of ticks in a district in Tamil Nadu, South India.

Ticks are medically and veterinary important hematophagous ectoparasites in transmitting many vector-borne diseases to humans and animals. A study was conducted (July 2017-June 2018) in the Madurai district, Tamil Nadu South India, to observe the host preference, abundance and seasonal variations of ectoparasites. A total of 1132 ticks belonging to 15 different species under 4 genera were collected from 114 cows, 35 dogs, 90 goats, 7 cats, and 22 hens.

Impact of climatic factors on the occurrence of malaria in hyper, high, moderate and low endemic States in India from 1995 to 2023.

Background: Malaria has been surging in India for the past 3 years after reaching the recorded low in 2021. Among the possible reasons for this unexpected surge of cases, such as insufficient surveillance, slow and aggregated data reporting, endemic pockets in the tribal, dense forest areas where control programmes are difficult to reach, the role of climate change due to global warming has gained less attention. Similar to the diverse climatic conditions that prevail in different regions of India, the malaria distribution is also highly variable.

Emergence of West Nile virus infection in Kerala, South India: A case of concern.

West Nile virus (WNV) infection is emerging as a disease of public health concern in Kerala, India with recurring outbreaks since 2011. With its tropical climate, biodiversity hot spots of Western ghats, forest cover, plenty of water bodies and bird sanctuaries, Kerala provides an ideal ecological niche for vector breeding and transmission of WNV. In this article, we reflect on the peculiar features of the outbreaks of WNV fever in Kerala and highlight the knowledge gaps, the research priorities and the need for effective control measures.

Impact of Climatic Factors on the Temporal Trend of Malaria in India from 1961 to 2021.

Malaria remains a significant public health problem in India. Although temperature influences Anopheline mosquito feeding intervals, population density, and longevity, the reproductive potential of the Plasmodium parasite and rainfall influence the availability of larval habitats, and evidence to correlate the impact of climatic factors on the incidence of malaria is sparse. Understanding the influence of climatic factors on malaria transmission will help us predict the future spread and intensification of the disease.

Rising case-fatality rate of kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) in India: An unexpected challenge to the kala-azar elimination program?

The target of kala-azar elimination was initially set in 2010 and was later extended several times to finally be fixed in 2020, which also passed without success. However, in 2022, India had come very close to complete elimination by achieving a 98.7% decline in kala-azar cases.

Genome resequencing and genome-wide polymorphisms in mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from south India.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes spread major vector-borne viral diseases in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe. In this study, we sequenced the genome of Indian Ae. aegypti and Ae.

Mating of unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes in producing viable eggs.

Background: Understanding the relationship between blood-feeding and mating is important in effectively managing the most well-adapted vector insect, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). Although extensive studies have investigated the behavioural aspects of Aedes such as blood-feeding, mating, and their relationship, several knowledge gaps still exist. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the possibility of successful mating by unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid (up to 5 days after blood-feeding with fully developed eggs) female Ae.

Molecular detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in ectoparasites & their small mammal hosts captured from scrub typhus endemic areas in Madurai district, India.

Background Objectives: Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi present in small mammals harbouring the ectoparasites. A study was undertaken to detect the pathogen present in small mammals and its ectoparasites in the scrub typhus-reported areas.

Methods: The small mammals (rodents/shrews) and its ectoparasites were screened for O.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown during 2020 on the occurrence of vector-borne diseases in India.

Background & Objectives: India imposed one of the world's largest nationwide lockdown in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 which was partly extended up to December. Some of the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on the economy, research, travel, education, and sports were readily apparent; the same was less obvious in the occurrence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). The objective of this study was to statistically determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the occurrence of VBDs in India.

Detection of recombinant dengue virus 2 NS1 protein in mosquitoes using commercial Dengue NS1 ELISA kit.

Dengue, a vector-borne disease remains as one of the most serious public health problems globally. Incidence of this disease is on an increasing trend and currently over a billion people in tropical and subtropical regions are at risk. In the absence of an operational vaccine, prevention of dengue virus (DENV) is primarily focused upon controlling mosquito vectors.

A review of public health important fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) and flea-borne diseases in India.

Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) are important vectors of plague and murine typhus in many parts of the world. Currently, about 2700 flea species were described in the world. The most common vector flea Xenopsylla cheopis is found throughout India, but X.

Dengue infection among tribal population in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background & Objectives: Dengue emerged as an important public health problem in Tamil Nadu from 2000 onwards, reported in all the districts as an endemic disease of Tamil Nadu except Nilgiris district. So this study was carried out to understand the dengue epidemiology in Nilgiris district.

Methods: Block-wise study was made at the Nilgiris district.

Dengue NS1 antigen kit shows high sensitivity for detection of recombinant dengue virus-2 NS1 antigen spiked with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV) is a significant vector-borne disease. In absence of a specific treatment and vaccine, dengue is becoming a rising threat to public health. Currently, control of dengue mainly focuses on the surveillance of the mosquito vectors.

Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Novel Trombiculid Mite Species in Northern Tamil Nadu, India: Use of Targeting the Multicopy traD Gene.

Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi DNA in a trombiculid mite chigger species suggests that it might be a potential vector of scrub typhus in an endemic area. Over a period of 20 mo, 85 rats were trapped, 57 had chiggers that were identified by standard morphometric techniques. The chigger pools were assessed by performing PCR assays targeting fragments of the single-copy genes 56 kDa type-specific antigen gene (TSA56) by nested PCR and the 47 kDa (htrA) quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

Nation-wide vector surveillance on Zika and Dengue did not indicate transmission of the American lineage-pandemic Zika virus in India.

Objectives: Following the Public Health Emergency of International Concern declared on Zika by the World Health Organization during 2016, the Indian Council of Medical Research carried out nationwide vector surveillance for Zika and Dengue viruses (ZIKV and DENV) in India as a preparedness measure in 2016-19.

Methods: High-risk zones distributed to 49 Districts in 14 states/union territories were included in the study. Seven ICMR institutions participated, following a standard operating protocol.

Extremely Long Viability of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Eggs Stored Under Normal Room Condition.

The viability of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) eggs was determined by storing the eggs for long period of up to 1,889 d. The viability of eggs declined over time from 88.54 to 4.