The Gujarat Health Department has conducted more than 94 lakh malaria tests this year while stepping up surveillance and preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon. Over 19,500 health teams have carried out house-to-house visits, covering 6.51 crore people across the state.
According to the state government, the campaign is being carried out under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Health Minister Praful Pansheriya to curb the spread of malaria, dengue and chikungunya during the monsoon season.
Health officials said a record 94 lakh blood samples have been collected so far in 2026 for the early detection of malaria. Of these, 486 people tested positive and have been provided free treatment by the government.
To strengthen the diagnosis of other vector-borne diseases, special diagnostic centres have been set up at 42 hospitals attached to medical colleges across Gujarat.
These centres have tested 65,293 serum samples for dengue and 9,963 serum samples for chikungunya.
The department has also intensified field surveillance. During the second round of the state's house-to-house campaign, more than 19,500 health teams covered a population of over 6.51 crore.
Officials said people with fever symptoms were screened during the visits, leading to the detection of 28 new malaria cases, with treatment started immediately.
As part of mosquito control measures, more than 29 lakh mosquito breeding sites have been eliminated across the state. Fogging operations have also been carried out in over three lakh houses to reduce mosquito populations.
For long-term mosquito control, larvivorous fish that feed on mosquito larvae have been introduced at 4,998 locations with perennial stagnant water.
Officials said the first round of insecticide spraying has covered around 1.06 lakh people in 116 villages across 24 districts identified as vulnerable to vector-borne diseases. The second round of spraying is scheduled to begin on August 1.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya appealed to sarpanches across Gujarat to provide administrative and community support to turn the campaign against vector-borne diseases into a people's movement.
The Health Department said adequate stocks of anti-malaria medicines, insecticides and larvicides have been made available across the state. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted through print and social media.
Officials added that the overall disease situation is being monitored daily, weekly and monthly to track the spread of vector-borne diseases and guide the state's response.
With Inputs From IANS