Awareness on Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets

Malaria is a mosquito borne disease and a major public health problem in North Eastern states including Nagaland. This disease is curable & preventable. The drugs & diagnostics are supplied free of cost at all public health facilities. The Govt. of India provides all required assistance to the state in the manner of logistics, technical support and financial assistance. In the year 2014, there was a substantial increase in the number of cases and deaths due to Malaria in the NE states.   To reduce mosquito population for controlling malaria, a number of methods are available like larvicidal fish, Indoor Residual Spray with insecticides, elimination of breeding sites by methods like filling up of small pits and ditches, channelization of canal, sanitation activities through Village Health and Sanitation Committee, covering of open water containers etc. Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) is a newer & effective intervention to prevent human-mosquito contact by acting as a barrier and it also kills the mosquitoes coming in contact with net. The Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Govt. of India has supplied about (9,20,000 approx) LLINs for needy people of high risk areas of Nagaland for free of cost distribution in the months of January and February 2016.  

  The community is advised to: • Always use a long lasting insecticidal net while sleeping inside or outside the house and keep the four strings of the net properly tied & tuck its bottom edge under the mattress or mat. • After use, fold the LLIN properly and keep it in a clean place. • When the net gets dirty, certain precautions have to be taken like scrub the net gently & wash with clean water but never with detergents. • Do not use hot water or brush while washing the net and do not beat the net against a rock. • Do not wring after washing and dry the net in shade & do not expose the net to direct sunlight. • Do not use the net for fishing

Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru Jt. Director (NVBDCP) Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland: Kohima