SHILLONG, Jan 3: In Meghalaya, the once forest-dwelling mosquitoes that spread malaria are making a move. Due to significant deforestation and a rise in rice cultivation covering around 100,000 hectares of land, these mosquitoes, known as Anopheles, are now found in the rice and paddy fields, as determined by a study.
A study initiated in 2018 aimed to understand the high malaria-related deaths in the state, which has seen a decline over time.
The recent study, titled “Characterisation of Anopheles species composition and genetic diversity in Meghalaya, northeast India,” published in February 2023, highlighted the changing mosquito landscape. Scientists from the University of Manchester and Indian Institute of Public Health identified 19 Anopheles species in West Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts using advanced molecular methods.
While malaria deaths have decreased, the shift of mosquitoes to rice fields indicates a change in the disease’s dynamics. Researchers believe this is connected to deforestation, increased rice cultivation, and widespread use of mosquito nets. The findings highlight the importance of understanding these shifts in combating the disease effectively.
This study forms part of a broader effort to examine malaria in Meghalaya, focusing on disease occurrence, mosquito species, and public behaviors.
It may be mentioned that the latest data from 2021 shows only three malaria-related deaths. The state which earlier reported 237 deaths in the year 2007 that included 117 in Garo Hills has seen a significant decline with the last reported number being 3 in 2021.
To combat this, Meghalaya’s Health department had earlier adopted the “Tura model,” focusing on early detection and treatment with the assistance of ASHA workers.
The state government, through its Health and Family Welfare department, follows the National Framework for Malaria Elimination Programme (NFMEP). This involves early detection, prompt treatment, identifying high-risk areas, and interrupting transmission through insecticide spraying and distributing bed nets.
