Medical Entomology and Vector Control is one of the oldest disciplines of the erstwhile Malaria Institute of India (M.I.I.) and has done pioneering work of the prevalence, distribution, ecology, vector incrimination and dynamics of malaria and filariasis transmission with a view to formulate appropriate strategies for the control of vectors of Malaria and filariasis in different parts of the country.During 1963, M.I.I was renamed as NICD and its activities were reorganised and expanded to cover other communicable diseases.Accordingly the activities of Medical Entomology and Vector Control discipline were also reorganised to develop it as a National centre par excellence for undertaking research, providing technical support and to develop trained manpower in the field of Vector-borne diseases and their control.The Division provides technical guidance, support and to develop trained manpower in the field of Vector-borne diseases and their control.The Division provides technical guidance, support and advice to various agencies on entomological and vector control aspects of vector-borne diseases like Malaria, Filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, Dengue, Kala-azar, Guineaworm, Plague, Tick and Mite-borne diseases and their control on the pattern of Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC), Atlanta (USA).Major areas of the activities undertaken are highlighted below:

1. Undertakes entomological investigations of outbreaks of vector-borne diseases in the country and recommend appropriate vector control measures

2. Undertakes laboratory and field evaluation of various formulations of pesticides against vectors and pests of public health importance

3. Undertakes laboratory and field investigations of biological control agents currently in use or intended to be used against arthropods of medical importance

4. Undertakes insecticide susceptibility tests of natural population of vectors in the country and study cross resistance, if any

5. Maintains a reference collection museum of preserved specimens of arthropods of medical importance to facilitate identification of the collected material

6. Maintains live cultures of arthropods of medical importance for teaching, supply and research purposes for scientific workers within and outside the institute

7. Conducts various ad-hoc and regular training courses on vector-borne diseases and their control.

8. Maintains fish hatcheries of larvivorous fishes viz. Gambusia affinis and Poecilia reticulata for supply to various agencies in the country for the control of larval breeding and to initiate fish culture

The Division has been divided into two Sub-Divisions namely Medical Entomology and Vector Control. The broad activities of the Sub-Divisions are highlighted below:

Important activities undertaken by the Division

1. Development of Trained manpower and Group Educational activities

Division conducts regular and ad-hoc short term training courses and workshops etc. for the development of trained man power on various aspects of vector-borne diseases and their control. Some of the important Group Educational Activities routinely being conducted are summarised below:

            In addition, the faculty members of the Division also actively participate in the training courses coordinated by other divisions viz Malariology, Field Epidemiology Training Programme, Malaria Entomology and other short term training courses organised at NICD.

            WHO Fellows from various countries particularly from South East Asian Region are imparted short term training on Entomological and Vector Control aspects of various Vector-Borne diseases prevalent in South East Asia.

2. Service

1. National referral Arthropods Collection Museum, diagnostic, identification and supply services

   Specimens of various species of arthropods of medical importance viz. mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, mites, biting flies, fleas, cyclops etc. collected from various parts of the country since the inception of the Institute in 1909 are preserved and kept in the National Arthropod Collection Museum at NICD Headquarters for teaching, research and supply purposes to various agencies in the country.

   Besides, specimens of arthropods of medical importance collected and received from various areas, different Institutions/ Organizations in the country are processed, identified up to species level and preserved. Preserved specimens are supplied to various teaching and research Institutes in the country on request.

2. Maintenance of stock cultures of arthropods of medical importance and mosquito larvivorous fishes

   Various live arthropods of medical importance and mosquito larvivorous fishes are being maintained at NICD Headquarters and its branches for research, training and supply purposes as per the details given below:

   • Vector of malaria - An. stephensi and An. fluviatilis
     
   • Vector of filariasis - Culex quinquefasciatus
     
   • Vector of Japanese Encephalitis - Culex tritaeniorhynchus
     
   • Vector of Dengue/DHF - Aedes aegypti
     
   • Vector of Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - Phlebotomus argentipes & Phlebotomus papatasi
     
   • Vector of Plague - Xenopsylla cheopis
     
   • Vector of Kysanur Forest Diseases (KFD) - Rhipicephalus sanguineus
     
   • Mechanical Carrier - Musca domestica
     
   • Mosquito strain maintained for the isolation/detection of J.E./Dengue virus - Toxorhynchites splendens
     
   • Mosquito larvivorous fishes - Gamubsia affinis & Poecilia reticulata
     

3. National Laboratory for the evaluation of larvicides, adulticides, repellents etc. used for vector/pest control under Public Health Programmes

   NICD has been identified as one of the National Laboratory in the country by Central Insecticide Board, Directorate of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India to undertake laboratory bio-assay and field evaluation of newer larvicides, adulticides, repellents etc. received from various National and International agencies to work out their minimum effective dosage, residual toxicity in respect of vectors of public health importance viz. mosquitoes, sandflies, bedbugs, houseflies, cockroches etc. This is a pre-requisite for the registration of any new pesticide in India purported to be used under public health.

   A large number of Organochlorines, Organophosphates, Carbamates and Synthetic pyrethroids currently being used or purported to be used as adulticides, larvicides, biocides, repellents etc. under Public Health Programme in the country have been evaluated to determine their minimum effective dosages and residual bioefficacy.

4. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

   Blood meal samples of mosquitoes and sandflies collected routinely or during outbreak investigations or received from various agencies are being processed to identify the source of blood meal ingested by them using Gel-diffusion techniques. This helps a great deal in identifying the role of vector species operating in an area and to devise appropriate vector control strategies

5. OUTBREAK INVESTIGATIONS

   The Division undertakes outbreaks investigations of various epidemic prone vector borne diseases in various part of the country either after receiving a request from the concerned State Govt. or at its own on the basis of News received through electronic or mass media. The important vector borne diseases investigated over the years in different parts of the country includes Malaria, Dengue/ DHF, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Plague, KFD and other insect borne diseases. The appropriate vector control measures are being recommended for the containment of the outbreaks. Long term vector control measures are suggested to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

RESEARCH

Entomological surveillance of vectors of important vector borne diseases like Malaria, Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue/ Dengue Haemorrhagic fever, Kala-azar, Plague etc. are being undertaken in various parts of the country to study vector prevalence, distribution, biology and ecology and role played by them in the transmission of various vector borne diseases. The important research activities currently being undertaken are summarised below:

• Entomological surveillance of Aedes aegypti, vector of yellow fever at the International Airports and Seaports

  Entomological surveillance of Aedes aegypti, vector of yellow fever in and around the International Airports and Seaports in the country are being undertaken regularly to ascertain the current status of Aedes mosquito surveillance and vector control measures undertaken. Specific recommendations to ensure Aedes free status in and around the port areas are made as per the International Health Regulation Act (1968).

• Entomological surveillance of Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of Dengue/DHF in Delhi

  Consequent upon the severe outbreaks of Dengue/ DHF in Delhi during 1996 wherein more than 10,000 cases and 400 deaths occurred, an entomological surveillance of Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of Dengue/DHF is being carried out in north, south, east, west and central parts of Delhi to monitor the vector density using various indices namely House index, Container index, Breteau index etc. The moment the larval house index cross the threshold level of 10%, Delhi Govt., Muncipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Muncipal Corporation are alerted to undertake immediate vector control measures to prevent the occurrence of Dengue/ DHF outbreaks.

• Entomological Surveillance of vectors of Malaria & Japanese Encephalitis

  Entomological surveillance of vectors of Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis are being undertaken in various parts of the country to collect information on the ecology, biology, population dynamics of vector species to devise appropriate vector control strategies.

• Entomological surveillance and colonisation of sandflies, vectors of Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

  Entomological surveillance of sandflies with particular reference to vectors of Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis are being undertaken in Kala-azar endemic and non endemic areas of the country to study the prevalence, distribution, ecology & biology of vector sandfly species. The insecticide susceptibility status of vector sandfly species is also ascertained during the surveys.

  The laboratory colonization of Ph.argentipes, vector of Kala-azar and Ph.papatasi, vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis is being carried out for research, teaching and supply purposes.

• Studies on vectors of Plague

  Studies are being undertaken in the erstwhile endemic areas and areas reporting suspected cases of plague to collect information on the rodent reservoir of Plague, prevalence and distribution of vector flea species, their indices and susceptibility status to insecticides.

Monitoring of insecticide susceptibility status of arthropods of medical importance and Screening of indigenous plants for their insecticidal properties

• Monitoring the insecticide susceptibility status of vector arthropod species in various parts of the country to recommend the appropriate insecticide for vector control.

• Screening of the indegenous plants to ascertain the insecticidal properties of their plant extracts and essential oil against the vector mosquito species.

Publication of Manuals, Proceedings and Research Papers

Division prepared the following Manuals or Proceedings of workshops held at NICD:

1. Proceedings of Workshop on "Vector-Borne Diseases & Control" - 1987
2. Manual on "Entomological Surveillance of Vector-Borne diseases" - 1989
3. Proceedings of Workshops on "Bioassay Techniques" - 1989
4. Proceedings of Workshops on "Entomological and Vector Control aspects of Kala-azar" - 1993
5. Proceedings of "Conference of Public Health Entomologists" - 1996

Proceedings of workshop (under process)

1. Proceedings of workshop on "Entomological surveillance and control of mosquito-borne disease" (2000)
2. Proceedings of workshop on "Entomological surveillance and control of plague and other ectoparasite –borne diseases" (2000)

Publication of Research Papers, etc.

            The officers of the Division are regularly publishing research articles in various International and National Journals of repute. Till date more than 500 research papers on the entomological and vector control aspects of vector-borne diseases have been published.

Award of Ph.D degree

            The following officers of the Division were conferred Ph.D degree by various universities while working on the various aspects of Medical Entomology and Vector Control.

1. Dr. S.K. Sharma, Joint Director and Head

Topic "Studies on the external morphology, ecology and susceptibility of cyclops species in and around Delhi with special reference to Mesocyclops leuckarti (c,laus)" Meerut University, Meerut (1980)

2. Dr. Kaushal Kumar, Deputy Director

Topic "Morphology, anatomy, life history and toxicological studies of Indian dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus" Meerut University, Meerut (1980)

3. Dr. Kuldip Singh Gill, Deputy Director

Topic "Laboratory and field evaluation of synthetic pyrethroid (Deltamethrin) against some of the Anopheline and Culicine vectors" Meerut University, Meerut (1994)

4. Dr. Rakesh Katyal, Assistant Director

Topic "Studies on the Bio-ecology of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti, a vector of Dengue/ Dengue Haemorrhagic fever (Culicidae; Diptera; Insecta)" Punjab University, Chandigarh (2000)

5. Dr. Kalpana Baruah, Assistant Director

Topic "Ethnobiological impact on malaria in Sonapur in relation to Anopheles minimus (Theobald, 1901)" Gauhati University, Gauhati (2000)

Ph.D work in progress

Faculty members recognised as Guides and Examiners for Ph.D, M.Sc. & B.Sc Theory and Practical examinations.

1. Dr. S.K. Sharma, Joint Director & Head

   - Meerut, Rajasthan and Pondicherry Universities

2. Dr. Kaushal Kumar, Deputy Director

   - Delhi & Meerut Universities

3. Dr. K.S. Gill, Deputy Director

   - Delhi University

4. Sh. T.G. Thomas, Assistant Director

   - Meerut University

Faculty of Division of Medical Entomology & Vector Control

1. Dr. S.K. Sharma, M.Sc., Ph.D., Joint Director & Head
2. Shri J.S. Rao, M.Sc., Deputy Director
3. Mrs. Sarita kumar, M.Sc., Deputy Director
4. Dr. Kaushal Kumar, M.Sc., Ph.D., Deputy Director
5. Dr. Kuldip Singh Gill, M.Sc., Ph.D., Deputy Director
6. Dr.(Mrs) B.P. Das, M.Sc., Ph.D., Deputy Director
7. Dr. (Miss) Raminder Kaur, M.Sc., Ph. D., Deputy Director
8. Dr. Rakesh Katyal, M.Sc., Ph.D., Assistant Director
9. Dr. (Mrs.) Kalpana Baruah, M.Sc., Ph.D., Assistant Director
10. Sh. T.G. Thomas, M.Sc.,Assistant Director

NICD, Kala-azar Unit, Patna(Bihar)

            NICD Kala-azar Unit, Patna was established during 1976 to carry out research on various aspects of Kala-azar. The main objectives of the branch are as follows:

• To undertake in-depth studies on the resurgence of Kala-azar in Bihar

• To carry out detailed entomological studies on the prevalence, distribution, population dynamics of Kala-azar vector, dynamics of disease transmission and vector control measures thereof.

• To undertake detailed parasitological surveys to assess the magnitude of problem in various affected districts

• To carry out studies on the zoonotic reservoir of Kala-azar, if any

• To develop diagnostic techniques for the rapid diagnosis of Kala-azar cases

• To recommend suitable drug therapy and vector control strategy

• To develop trained man-power for the effective surveillance and control of Kala-azar

Routine activities and services

- Maintenance of colonies of Ph. argentipes, vector of Kala-azar and Ph.papatasi, vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis for various experimental, teaching and supply purposes.

- Maintenance of culture of Leishmania donovani body for research, teaching and supply purposes

- OPD clinic is being run for the diagnosis and treatment of Kala-azar and PKDL cases

- Undertakes outbreak investigations of Kala-azar and other communicable diseases viz, Encephalitis, Meningitis, Eruptive fever, Cholera, Gastro-enteritis, Diarrhoea, Jaundice, etc. and recommend suitable measures for their containment.

- Entomological surveillance of vector sandflies is being undertaken in different endemic and non-endemic areas in the States of Bihar, West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh,  species identified and dissected to detect the presence of flagellates i.e. promastigote to assess the disease transmission potential.

Diagnostic services

            Serological aldehyde tests are being carried out on routine basis and suspected Kala-azar cases are diagnosed by bone-marrow examination and L.D. body culture from aspirated material. PKDL cases are diagnosed by examining the skin strip slides for L.D body and by raising L.D. body culture from aspirated material from skin lesions, if any.