Though the mosquito population has gone up drastically in the district in the last couple of months, the health department still maintains that the vector index has not changed much.

“Mosquito population is not high in areas from where malaria and dengue fever cases have been reported. We are keeping a close watch on vectors and have planned various preventive measures,” says Dr K B Peethambaran, Deputy District Medical Officer.

In January alone five malaria cases and three dengue fever cases have been reported from across the district.

What poses concern is the fact that the aedus species mosquitoes, which spread most of the diseases, are increasing in the city and the suburbs. Though preventive measures like fogging and spraying are carried out in the district they have failed to control the mosquito menace.

Now the officials hope that the Four Plus campaign that includes departments like Health, Local Self Government, Social Welfare, Education, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Water Resources and Public Works and the Kudumbasree Mission will control the problem more effectively. “Since the campaign ensures timely work in ward levels we are hopeful of managing the mosquito issue. Vector surveillance is very active and we have come up with a protocol for all these four diseases,” says Dr Peethambaran.

Though mosquito population is high in Vypeen areas, the species here has been found to be harmless compared to the aedus species swarming the city.