The Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Department has announced the revival of insect collector training programs after a 15-year hiatus, aiming to strengthen efforts in controlling mosquito-borne diseases. The new sessions are currently underway in Mangalagiri and focus on improving the skills of workers tasked with identifying and capturing mosquitoes, a crucial step in preventing illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis.
These training sessions emphasize methods to detect mosquito species at both larval and adult stages. Participants are being trained to identify key species, including Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitoes, each associated with different diseases. Field exercises have been conducted in Jakampudi, a known malaria hotspot near Vijayawada, where insect collectors studied mosquito habitats, breeding patterns, and movement.
Health Minister Y Sathya Kumar Yadav instructed officials to prioritize skill development for medical staff, paramedics, and insect collectors. Acting on this directive, authorities reintroduced training initiatives previously held in 2011. Trainers demonstrated the use of mosquito collection tubes that allow for live capture and examination, aiding in the assessment of disease transmission risks.
Once identified, collectors report their findings to district malaria officers, who then initiate targeted anti-larval measures, indoor spraying, and fogging operations. Officials also revealed that they are developing the AWARE system, a real-time alert platform designed to notify districts of potential outbreak hotspots, further bolstering disease prevention efforts.