National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP)

Overview

1. Malaria
2. Lymphatic Filariasis (Filaria)
3. Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)
4. Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
5. Dengue / Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF)
6. Chikungunya

• Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, p. 468

Three-Pronged Strategy

1. Disease Management

• Early case detection and complete treatment
• Strengthening of referral services
• Epidemic preparedness and rapid response

2. Integrated Vector Management (IVM)

• Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in high-risk areas
• Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (ITBNs/LLINs)
• Use of larvivorous fish (e.g., Gambusia, Guppies)
• Anti-larval measures in urban areas
• Source reduction and minor environmental engineering

3. Supportive Interventions

• Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
• Inter-sectoral convergence
• Human resource development and capacity building
• Operational research (drug resistance, insecticide susceptibility)
• Monitoring and evaluation via web-based MIS
• JE vaccination
• Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) against lymphatic filariasis
• Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, p. 468-469

Programme Structure / Organizational Framework

Disease-Specific Components

(A) Malaria

• History: Started as National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in 1953, became National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) in 1958, renamed National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP), and then NVBDCP in 2002-2003.
• Causative agents: Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum (P. falciparum more dangerous - causes cerebral malaria)
• Vector: Female Anopheles mosquito
• Key tools: Thick and thin blood smear microscopy; Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs/RDKs); artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for P. falciparum
• Urban Malaria Scheme (UMS): Launched in 1971; covers 131 towns in 19 states/UTs; protects ~130 million urban population via anti-larval measures, civic bye-laws
• Drug Distribution Centres (DDCs) and Fever Treatment Depots (FTDs): Community-level voluntary centres for antimalarial drug distribution and blood slide collection

• Category 0: Prevention of re-establishment (zero cases already achieved)
• Category 1: Elimination phase - API < 1 in all districts; focus on interrupting local transmission
• Category 2: Pre-elimination phase - overall API < 1 but some districts still ≥ 1
• Category 3: Intensified control phase - API ≥ 1; focus on high-burden reduction

(B) Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

• Causative agent: Leishmania donovani
• Vector: Sandfly (Phlebotomus argentipes)
• Transmission: Anthroponotic (human-to-human only via sandfly; no animal reservoir in Asia)
• Untreated fatality: Up to 100% within 2 years
• Endemic states: Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (54 districts)
• India's share: >70% of global kala-azar burden
• Elimination target: < 1 case per 10,000 population at block level
• Treatment: Single-dose (10 mg/kg) Liposomal Amphotericin B (introduced per national roadmap)
• Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL): Also addressed under the roadmap

(C) Lymphatic Filariasis (Filaria)

• Causative agent: Wuchereria bancrofti (in India)
• Vector: Culex quinquefasciatus
• Target: < 1% microfilaria prevalence in all districts
• Elimination target: By 2027
• Key intervention: Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) - DEC + Albendazole on National Filaria Day
• Role of MPW/ASHA: Identification of lymphoedema/elephantiasis/hydrocele cases, referral, training on home-based care, drug distribution

(D) Japanese Encephalitis (JE)

• Vector: Culex tritaeniorhynchus (rice field breeding)
• Reservoir: Pigs and birds
• Programme objectives:
  • Strengthen JE vaccination in affected districts
  • Improve surveillance, case management, and timely referral
  • Improve safe water access and sanitation in endemic areas
  • Estimate and manage disability burden (neurological/physical rehabilitation)
  • Improve nutritional status of at-risk children
• Often co-reported with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)

(E) Dengue / DHF

• Vector: Aedes aegypti (urban, day-biting)
• No specific antiviral - management is supportive
• Prevention: Source reduction, anti-larval activities, personal protection
• Urban focus: Anti-larval operations, civic awareness

(F) Chikungunya

• Vector: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
• Re-emerged after >3 decades as epidemic outbreaks in India
• Management is supportive; prevention through vector control

Role of Key Field Workers Under NVBDCP

• Collect blood smears from fever patients; dispatch to PHC lab twice weekly
• Administer Rapid Diagnostic Tests and radical treatment
• Supervise spray operations
• In kala-azar areas: enquire about prolonged fever (>15 days), refer suspected cases
• In JE areas: identify suspected encephalitis cases, refer to PHC/CHC
• In filaria areas: identify lymphoedema/hydrocele cases, train ASHA drug distributors

• Provide diagnostic and treatment facilities for routine and complicated cases of malaria, filaria, dengue, JE, and kala-azar

Recent Developments (2024-2026)

• The programme is now administered by the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under MoHFW - the renamed/restructured directorate
• In 2025, several states reported rising cases: Malaria increased in Assam, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh; Dengue rising in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh
• Zika virus cases (140 in Maharashtra in 2024) now also monitored under state NVBDCP structures
• Adequate diagnostic kits and drugs are maintained under NHM through Annual Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs)
• Lok Sabha data (2025) confirms NCVBDC as the current administrative body

Key Indicators and Surveillance Metrics

• Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, pp. 468-471

NVBDCP - Quick Exam Notes

What is NVBDCP?

• Umbrella programme under NHM (National Health Mission)
• Controls 6 vector-borne diseases
• Nodal agency = Directorate of NVBDCP under DGHS, MoHFW
• Started: 2003 (renamed from NAMP)

6 Diseases (Trick: MFK-JDC)

3-Pronged Strategy (Most Important!)

• Early case detection + complete treatment
• Referral services + epidemic preparedness

• Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)
• Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITBNs/LLINs)
• Larvivorous fish (Gambusia)
• Anti-larval measures
• Source reduction

• BCC (Behaviour Change Communication)
• Public-Private Partnership
• Capacity building/training
• JE Vaccination
• Annual MDA (Mass Drug Administration) for filariasis
• Operational research

Elimination Targets (Very Exam Important!)

Malaria Categories (4 Categories)

API = Annual Parasite Incidence (per 1000 population)

Disease-Specific Points

• P. vivax + P. falciparum (Pf = dangerous, causes cerebral malaria)
• Diagnosis: Blood smear + RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test)
• Urban Malaria Scheme launched 1971 - covers 131 towns

• Anthroponotic (human only, no animal reservoir)
• Endemic: Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, UP
• India = >70% of global burden
• Treatment: Single dose Liposomal Amphotericin B (10 mg/kg)
• Untreated fatality = up to 100% in 2 years

• Wuchereria bancrofti + Culex mosquito
• MDA = DEC + Albendazole on National Filaria Day

• Reservoir = Pigs + Birds
• JE Vaccination in endemic districts

• Aedes aegypti (day-biting, urban)
• No specific treatment - supportive management only

Organizational Structure

National → Directorate of NVBDCP
State    → State Programme Officer
District → CMO/DHO + DVBDC Officer
PHC      → Medical Officer
Field    → MPW + ASHA + FTD workers

Key Abbreviations for Exam

One line definition for exam: "NVBDCP is an umbrella programme under NHM for prevention and control of 6 vector-borne diseases - Malaria, Filariasis, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue and Chikungunya - using a three-pronged strategy of Disease Management, Integrated Vector Management and Supportive Interventions."