CONTENTS

1.   Introduction           Organisation Chart           NICD Faculty/Administration/Staff           Budget at a Glance (1997)

2.   Objectives and Functions of the Institute

3.   National Health Programmes           National Surveillance Programme for Communicable Diseases (NSPCD)           Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP)           Yaws Eradication Programme (YEP)

4.   Scientific and Research Activities        Headquarters           Division of AIDS & HIV           Division fo Biochemistry/Biotechnology           Division of Epidemiology           Division of Helminthology           Division of Microbiology           Division of Medical Entomology/Vector Control           Division of Training & Malariology           Division of Zoonosis        Branches           Alwar           Bangalore           Calicut           Coonoor           Jagdalpur           Patna           Rajamundry           Varanasi

5.   Manpower Development/Training Courses, Workshops, Seminars

6.   Outbreak Investigations

7.   Participation in Conferences, Workshops, Seminars and Symposia

8.   WHO/Other International Fellowships

9.   Membership of Expert Committes/Advisory Panel/Honours

10. Important Visitors during the Year

11. Publications/Presentations

Annexures           Central Library           Central Animal Facility

Top

NICD Branch Varanasi

This centre as Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre was established in 1965. Engaged primarily in training and research in filariasis. Centre has contributed in the past to strengthen National Filaria Control Programme. The other arm i.e. Epidemiological Investigation Unit is added in 1973, is engaged in field based operational research, action research in communicable diseases, water quality monitoring and promotion of health system development. With limitations of existing N.F.C.P. strategy and success of operational efficacy of annual single dosage, this branch is poised to have better supporting role and added responsibility to demonstrate efficacy of community directed treatment regimes in control of filariasis. Accordingly activities are being tailored.

Routine services/activities

During this yar large number of new cases of filariasis have been registered in our clinic and follow up visit carried out by old patients. Monthwise break up of new & follow up cases are given as under. Out of 891 new cases registered, 11 were +ve for mf. This indicates low level of microfilaramia among patients of filariasis as compared general endemic population.

Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from stool samples of gastroenteritis

During the year month wise stool samples received from cases of gastro enteritis admitted in I.D.H., Varanasi are given as under. Only one sample was found +ve for Vibrio cholerae. Cases were much less as compared to preceding years.

Persistence of Vibrio cholerae during interepidemic period

From December to March water samples from river, drains, tap water, ponds and other potable sources are collected to find out reservoir of Vibrio Cholerae bacillus during non endemic periods. Therefore, water samples have been collected in month of December, 1997 and filtered though Kisselghar Media and cultured. During this month (upto 12.12.97) 11 samples have been tested, one of them has sown Vibrio Cholerae. Non 01 positive water sample is drawn from water tank near Durgakund.

Water quality monitoring of drinking water in Varanasi

Portability of water is tested at this centre by undertaking Bacteriological quality monitoring (coliform count). During the year 150 water samples were tested for the same. Results are given as under. It may be noted that information pertaining to unsatisfactory sources has been conveyed to Corporation Authorities who have taken remedial measures accordingly.

Feasibility of O.R.S. distribution through depot holders

To find out feasibility of distribution of O.R.S. during episode of diarrhoea in under five children through Depot Holders, a project was developed and O.R.S. supplied to them. During the year 600 packets of O.R.S. were supplied to Depot Holders in slum areas of Sarainandan.

Limited surveys conducted indicates that in 63% of episide of diarrhoea mothers have used either home made fluid or O.R.S. supply as compared to only 32% in controlled slum areas.

Storage & supply of reagents & materials

These Media were not supplied to other institution. Our centre supplied slides of mf. & infective larval stages (W. bancrofti) to P.S.M. & Microbiology Department of I.M.S., B.H.U., Varanasi during, 1997.

Diagnostic Services

Large number of case of filariasis from District of Eastern U.P. are sent to our centre for diagnosis. During this year 63 were found un-satisfactory.

Implementation of revised strategy in control of Filariasis in Varanasi district

On 22^nd November, 1997 National Filaria Day was observed in entire city of Varanasi and four community development block namely Kashi Vidyapith, Arajiline, Sevapuri & Baragaon. 11 lacs population in urban area and 8,62,000 population was targeted in rural areas. Govt. of U.P. established 813 booths in city and 743 in rural areas Govt. 65% population in urban & 68% population in rural were administerd DEC dosages as per schedule given below:

Special activities

Kap (AIDS) among truck drivers

Varanasi district is one of the major receptive area for transmission of AIDS. Large number of individuals are employed in metropolitan areas of Mumbai leaving behind their families. Thereby they are exposed to risk of HIV infection. Back home during vacation, their female sex partners infected establishing network of receptive population. Further Varanasi being main city centre of Eastern U.P. Large number of goods are transported to an across Varanasi through National Highway. Thus Truck Drivers constitute major risk subject. Therefore, study was planned with objective to assess sex seeking behaviour and condom use utilisation among Truck Drivers with objective to develop community based condom promotion campaign. About 96 Truck Drivers were interviewed in the month of Dec. 1997 on questionnaire pre-tested earlier. Out of 17 variables studied, 3 of them were analysed and results are given as under :

Most of the drivers are of age group of 30 & above. A noteworthy observation is that are 70% of them have heard of AIDS, use condom during extramartial sex (79.68%?) and are willing to give blood for detection of HIV (72.56%). Other variable studied on the questionnaire are being analysed separately.

Research projects

1.     Longitudenial study of childhoold mortality in rural area of Varanasi district

The objective of the study are to find out childhood mortality & its course. Further, medical & sociological factors resplonsible for this will be assessed. The study was undertaken in a village Gaura about 20 kms away from the centre in Arajiline Block. 367 under five children were registered out of total 2420 population residing 271 families. Monthly visits were made to record mortality. Month wise deaths in under five children are given as below:

As can be seen a total of 11 deaths were recorded in the whole year. Seven of the deaths were due to the Pneumonia whereas four died due to diarrhoea.

2.     Ultrasonographic appearance of lymphadema in patients attending filaria clinic

The study was started with objective to find out presence of adult worms in cases of scrotal lymphedema attending our clinic. Cases are registered at our centre. The criteria is definitive scrotal swelling with or without presence of Hydrocele in which minimum history of at least two attacks preceding six month on the date of registration (active case). Registered cases are sent for Ultrasonography at X-ray centre to detect adult worm. As methodology is being standardised, only ten cases were registered during the year. In none of the cases so far adult worm has been seen. The study will continue.

3.     Baseline clinico epidemiological study of filariasis in Varanasi district

To prepare baseline data on Clinico Epidemiological aspect of filariasis in Varanasi District to use it for evaluation of revised strategy for control of filariasis. 30 clusters were selected randomly as per W.H.P. guidelines using serial intervals & random number. All the individuals in age group of 15-35 years in selected clusters were examined for presence of lymphedema or scrotal swelling. Microfilaria carriers status was studied by taking blood slides between 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and examining it in the Laboratory. Observation of the study are recorded as follows:

As can be seen mf. rate for the aggregate district is 5.84% whereas disease rate is 7.65%. Thus filaria is an important public health problem in the district. Entomological observation were carried out in some of the clusters as results of the individual clusters are not relevant, aggregate mosquitogenic data are given as under:

4.     Vector prevalence in selected areas of Varanasi district

The objectives of the study are to establish permanent station for filarial vector monitoring, to assess vector density and infection level in Cx. Female mosquitoes and to provide comprehensive baseline entomological data for annual single dose of DEC therapy.

Hariharpur village situated in Kashi Vidyapith Block has been selected as permanent station. Mosquitoes are collected twice a month by four trained investigators. Female Culex mosquitoes were dissected in the laboratory for presence of different larval stages.