The spurt in number of dengue cases in provincial State capital last year and delayed but extensive control measures taken by the State Government in later stages are proving to be a blessing in disguise for district health department as less number of malaria cases are being reported in initial phase of malaria season this year. The health department has reported only two cases of Malaria in this season, while the corresponding figure last year was 12.

 The officials admitted that source reduction of the dengue last year and the extensive awareness campaign informing residents about ways to control mosquito population is coming handy this year. Dehradun reported 1434 cases of Dengue last year, a quantum increase from 829 cases reported in the year 2015. Following the outburst of the disease and public outrage on half- hearted measures adopted by the district health department to control the dreaded disease, the state administration machinery rebuked by then state Chief Minister Harish Rawat, swung into action. The Government supplied large number of fogging and hand held spray machines to Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD). A massive door to door campaign was launched jointly by MCD, district administration and health department. The social organizations and students also undertook awareness drive in different parts of the city.

The District Vector Borne diseases officer, J P Bahuguna said that though the habit and habitat of vectors and malaria and dengue differ but source reduction and awareness drive is of help and it is manifested in less number of cases this year. He said that the health department and the MCD are working in tandem in anti malaria activities. Bahuguna informed that MCD is engaged in preventive measures like fogging and spraying of insecticide in peripheral areas of the city while the district health department is concentrating on old city. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dehradun, Dr Y S Thapliyal said that the health department is alert on all water and vector borne diseases which usually affect population during this part of the time.

It is worth mentioning here that India has taken up the call of World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate malaria by the year 2030. Uttarakhand on the other hand has taken a pledge to declare it malaria free by the year 2020. The data of health department shows that number of malaria cases in state and Dehradun has decreased in last few years (see tables).