Malaria Surveillance
Introduction
- Core intervention under National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) (formerly NVBDCP) and National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)
- National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023–2027: Transforms malaria surveillance into a real-time, case-based, foci-based core strategy for elimination (target: zero indigenous cases by 2027)
- Integrated with Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) for near real-time web-based reporting
- Follows Test-Treat-Track (3Ts) strategy with mandatory public + private sector notification
Objectives
- Early detection of every case and focus to interrupt transmission
- Prompt case management and vector control response
- Monitor trends, classify cases (indigenous/imported), and certify elimination
- Strengthen entomological surveillance for evidence-based vector control
- Reduce under-reporting and achieve >95% case detection
Types of Surveillance
1. Passive Case Detection (PCD)
- Routine testing at all health facilities (public/private) for fever cases
- All fever cases tested with RDT or microscopy (universal testing policy)
2. Active Case Detection (ACD)
- House-to-house fever screening by ASHAs/Health Workers in endemic areas
- Monthly blood examination rate (MBER) target: ≥10% in high-transmission areas
3. Reactive Case Detection (RACD)
- Triggered around every confirmed case (50-house radius)
- Fever screening + testing of contacts
4. Sentinel Surveillance
- Designated hospitals for severe malaria monitoring and drug resistance
5. Entomological Surveillance
- Vector density, larval habitats, insecticide resistance monitoring
- Integrated Vector Management (IVM) guidance
1-3-7 Timeline (NSP 2023–27)
- Day 1: Case notification through IHIP within 24 hours
- Day 3: Complete case investigation & classification (indigenous/imported)
- Day 7: Foci investigation + response (focal IRS, LLIN distribution, active detection)
Case Definitions & Diagnosis
- Suspected: Fever with or without chills/rigors
- Confirmed: Positive RDT or microscopy (Pf/Pv/Pm/Po/Pk)
- Severe Malaria: As per WHO criteria (cerebral malaria, severe anemia, ARDS, etc.)
- Universal access to quality-assured RDT/microscopy; PCR for confirmation in elimination settings
- Private sector mandatory reporting via IHIP
Case & Foci Management
- Every case geo-tagged & mapped on GIS dashboard
- Foci classified (active/residual/cleared)
- Immediate response: ACT (for Pf), Primaquine (for Pv), focal IRS/LLIN
- Follow-up: Day 3, 7, 14, 28 for radical cure
Integration with Child Health Programmes
- RBSK: Screening for fever/anemia in school children
- RKSK: Adolescent malaria awareness
- FBNC/SNCU: Severe malaria management in neonates/infants
- SAANS/Anemia Mukt Bharat: Overlap with ARI/anemia
- ABDM/ABHA: Digital case records & tracking
Monitoring & Reporting
- Real-time IHIP-Malaria dashboard
- Annual Parasite Incidence (API), Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER), Slide Positivity Rate (SPR)
- Monthly/quarterly reviews at district/state level
- Private sector inclusion mandatory
Recent Developments (2026)
- NSP 2023–27 fully operational; IHIP-Malaria rolled out nationwide
- Category-wise state stratification (Category 0–3) with tailored surveillance intensity
- Focus on urban, tribal, forest, migrant & cross-border areas
- India on track for WHO certification of elimination