A two-day workshop for "Prevention and Control of Vector and Water-Borne Diseases' organised by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi opened at India Habitat Centre here on Monday. Inaugurating the workshop, Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra emphasised the need to sensitise children to take preventive measures for control of vector and water-borne diseases. "A separate action plan formulated for children will be implemented in municipal schools, public schools and aided schools. This plan will create awareness and will also target residents' welfare associations, slum dwellers and municipal employees,' she added. Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri congratulated the civic body for taking the initiative of organising the workshop and said, "It is only through vigorous efforts of the MCD that dengue cases in the Capital are on the decline. Local bodies such as the Delhi Cantonment Board, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Railway Board should come together in a joint endeavour to control diseases.' Addressing the gathering, MCD Standing Committee Chairman Vijender Gupta said the action plan proposed during the workshop would be implemented from April 1. Health Committee Chairman V. K. Monga and Municipal Commissioner K. S. Mehra were among those present on the occasion.

Researchers have developed the first animal model of the infection caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an emerging arbovirus associated with large-scale epidemics that hit the Indian Ocean, seriously affecting the French Island of La Reunion in 2005, before spreading to India, and Italy in 2007. Using a mouse model, scientists of the Pasteur Institute and INSERM in France determined which tissues and cells are infected by the virus in both the mild and severe forms of the disease. They document their findings in an article published in the latest issue of the US online open-access journal PLoS Pathogens. With the model, the researchers show how after an initial phase of viral replication in the liver, the infection extends to the joints, muscles and skin

While the Midnapore West district health department has been testing anti-malaria drug on the people of Belpahari, over 10 of them fell ill after consuming the newly-introduced drug. They are being treated in Belpahari Block Primary Hospital where the condition of Mrs Sushmi Karmakar, 35, of Chutiapukhri and Mr Manasaram Desowali, 30, of Dainmari has been reported to be serious. Admitted 16 days ago, the condition of Mrs Karmakar has been deteriorating everyday. Similar is the condition of Mr Desowali.

A group of scientists of the North-East Institute of Science and Technology (NEISC), formerly known as Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Jorhat, has prepared a safe mosquito repellent in the form of Agarbatti or incense sticks from a harmless bio-product. Most of mosquito repellents currently used for domestic purpose are mainly synthetic products with high mammalian toxicity. They are mostly synthetic pyrethroids. Though they are less harmful then general insecticides, but still are not totally safe for prolonged use, sources said.

reemergence of the chikungunya virus in India in 2005

malaria treatment has so far been uniform globally. who guidelines on symptoms of severe malaria are based on symptoms found in children in Africa. They include anaemia, jaundice and hypoglycaemia

chikungunya has re-emerged in Maharashtra, like it had in 2006. This time round, Kolhapur is the worst-affected district with 22 cases reported in April and May, followed by Sangli with four