The Andhra Pradesh health department has expanded the dengue MAC-ELISA testing facility to 54 sentinel surveillance hospitals (SSHs), including all general government hospitals/medical colleges, district hospitals, and area hospitals. This is part of an effort to strengthen its seasonal disease surveillance system.

In 2020 and 2021, Covid-19 containment, prevention, and vaccine efforts received significant attention; as a result, there were only 964 dengue infections reported in 2020 and 4,767 cases in 2021.

As the scenario is normalizing back to pre-Covid days, the health service has stepped up its efforts to prevent and manage dengue cases this year. The department has implemented a multifaceted approach, especially in vulnerable habitations and urban areas, ranging from large-scale awareness efforts and door-to-door fever surveys to screening, testing, anti-larval spraying, and other prevention measures. Due to its excellent sensitivity, the lgM capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA) is being used to confirm dengue infection.

According to J Nivas, commissioner of the Health and Family Welfare Department, the Health Department has given nearly two lakh dengue kits to all Dr. YSR Village and Urban Health Clinics and Urban Clinics in order to identify and treat dengue cases as soon as possible. All hospitals that are part of the Aarogyasri network offer free medical care to patients.

Around 5,230 people tested positive for dengue after screening blood samples for 79,531 people exhibiting dengue-like symptoms. Every Friday, as part of the Friday-dry day campaign being conducted at all village and ward secretariat levels, volunteers, ASHA, health secretaries (ANMs), and other secretariat-level staff are working  to create awareness of measures to prevent mosquito reproduction.

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/govt-extends-dengue-testing-facility-to-54-hospitals-in-state/articleshow/95568985.cms)