Why in News?
India’s progress towards eliminating malaria by 2030 faces a renewed challenge due to the spread of the invasive urban mosquito Anopheles stephensi, as highlighted in the “Malaria Elimination: Technical Report, 2025” released by the Health Ministry.
Description:
About Anopheles stephensi:
- Type: Malaria vector mosquito (invasive in India)
- Special adaptation: Thrives in urban environments
- Breeding sites: Artificial water containers (overhead tanks, tyres, construction sites)
- Disease transmission: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (protozoan parasites that cause malaria)
- Public health concern: Anopheles stephensi is unique because it urbanises malaria, unlike other vectors that are predominantly rural or forest based.
Malaria Vectors in India:
- Primary malaria vectors in India: Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles minimus, Anopheles baimaii, Anopheles sundaicus.
- Anopheles culicifacies is the most dominant vector, causing 60–70% of malaria cases and 75–80% of total burden, mainly in rural and peri-urban areas.
- Anopheles fluviatilis is significant in hilly and forested regions (~15% cases), while Anopheles stephensi is the primary urban vector (~12% cases).
India’s Malaria Elimination Targets:
- Zero indigenous malaria cases by: 2027
- Complete elimination by: 2030
Key initiatives of India:
- Strategic Roadmap: Implementation of the National Strategic Plan (2023–2027) to achieve zero indigenous cases by 2027 and total elimination by 2030.
- Surveillance: Scaling the “Test, Treat, Track” model using Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and real-time digital monitoring via the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
- Vector Control: Mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and targeted Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in high-burden tribal and forested areas.
- Grassroots Integration: Utilizing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and ASHA workers to provide diagnosis and treatment within the Ayushman Bharat ecosystem.
Vaccines:
- Malaria Vaccines: RTS, S/AS01 vaccine (WHO approved first vaccine in 2021), R21/Matrix-M (WHO approved second vaccine in 2023).
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