September 19, 2024, New Delhi: There is hardly any big or small city or town in India that would not be facing mosquito menace during monsoon when puddles in cities or districts become breeding grounds of different kinds of mosquitoes. Large number of cases of Dengue and Chikangunya are commonly being reported even as municipal bodies in cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, etc., have issued warnings and notices to thousands of residents for allowing mosquitoes to breed in open containers and stagnant water in their homes. Unfortunately, the same attention is not paid to open drainages, potholes, etc., where these deadly insects breed and spread several kinds of vector borne diseases, some which end up requiring hospitalization and in severe cases can lead to death.

Over the last few decades cases of Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya and other vector borne diseases have been on the rise in different parts of the country. This is more so during the peak of summer monsoon, which lasts from June to September and winter monsoon starting in October. Last month, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha that over 32,000 Dengue cases had been reported across the country this year till August 2, as against 18,391 Dengue cases during the corresponding period of 2023. In a written answer, Jadhav said the government and concerned agencies are regularly reviewing and monitoring the situation of Dengue outbreaks in the country.

Questioning the competency of the civic bodies, a Hyderabad resident has posted on ‘X’, “Why does the city suffer due to dengue, chikungunya and other vector borne diseases? Mosquitoes literally declared war on the city….Despite complaints no efforts to stop mosquito breeding in the lakes”. Another resident of Pune has sounded the alarm on chikungunya stating on ‘X’ that “a newly mutated chikungunya virus is causing health issues in Pune with over 2,000 infected (cases) reported. This alarming variant is presenting new symptoms including blackened noses and paralysis and mimicking dengue with fluid accumulation and low platelet counts…”

In Mumbai, BMC executive health officers reported that “compared to August 2023, number of cases of Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya and H1N1 diseases in Mumbai have shown a slight rise in August”. While 1,013 cases of Dengue were recorded in August, the corresponding number for August 2023 was 999. BMC registered 164 Chikungunya cases in August this year as against 35 in August 2023. Recent reports from Bangalore point to a surge in Dengue cases this year. According to the Karnataka state Health Department, Dengue cases have breached the 10,000-mark so far this year.

Dengue cases can turn fatal at times depending on the severity of the disease and health of the patient. Earlier this month on September 3rd, a 14-year-old student of a Gurugram school, admitted with severe Dengue in a Gurugram hospital, lost his life. Messages for platelets needed have surged in online communities on LocalCircles in the last 3 weeks.

In October 2023, 1 in 4 households via LocalCircles had indicated that someone in their family fell ill due to mosquito borne illness in the last 3 years. Also, 7 in 10 Indian households surveyed by LocalCircles had indicated that their municipal corporation or panchayat had not done fogging in their area during the monsoon season. LocalCircles through a national survey has sought to find out what is the peak season for mosquitoes in their area/city/district, how households are tacking the mosquito menace and how much does it cost them on a monthly basis to stay safe. The survey received over 54,000 responses from household consumers located in 322 districts of India. 62% respondents were men while 38% respondents were women. 45% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2 and 29% respondents were from tier 3 and 4 districts.

49% Indian households spend INR 200 or more each month on mosquito control; 37% of them spend up to INR 200

Nobody likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and risk getting various vector borne diseases. People use various natural, chemical and electric tools to fumigate and keep themselves safe at home and at their place of work. The survey asked consumers, “How much do you spend monthly as a household on mosquito control?” The question received 18,873 responses with 37% stating that the spend that they spend “up to INR 200” monthly; 29% of respondents indicated that they spend “INR 200-500”; 14% indicated that they spend that they spend “INR 500-1000” monthly; 2% of respondents stated that they spend “INR1000-2000”; 4% of respondents stated that they spend “INR 2000-5000” monthly and 4% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 49% Indian households spend INR 200 or more each month on mosquito control; 37% of them spend up to INR 200.

Anti-mosquito repellent sprays, machines, rackets and creams are top items Indian households use to protect themselves from mosquitoes; Only 21% avail any kind of fogging services

Considering that people use several kinds of products to protect themselves against mosquito bites, the survey asked, “What are all the different products and services that you use for mosquito control in your household?” Some among 18,303 who responded to the question indicated more than one option. The largest group of 55% stated that they use “repellent liquids, sprays and creams”; 43% stated that they use “repellent machines”; 32% stated that they use “rackets” which pass current and kill the mosquitoes; 32% stated that they use “mosquito net”; 21% stated that they rely on “fogging services”; 17% stated that they use “coils”; 6% indicated that they use medicated “patches” and 4% of respondents stated that they use “other products/ services” not mentioned. Many respondents selected more than one category of products that they use. On an aggregate basis, anti-mosquito repellent sprays, machines, rackets, creams and mosquito nets are top items Indian households use to protect themselves from mosquitoes; Only 21% avail of any kind of fogging services. Fogging services are generally more expensive and undertaken by apartment societies, AOAs or RWAs. In rare cases, such services are purchased privately by homeowners. In some cities, municipalities also conduct fogging but the communications from them is so broken that residents hardly come to know about such drives and are largely left to fend for themselves when it comes to mosquito control.

44% Indian households say August-October is the period when their area/district/city has the highest mosquito prevalence

Mosquitoes are believed to be found in abundance during the monsoon season when water collects puddles and unused or open containers in homes and outside or when there is too much humidity. The survey asked household respondents, “During which months of the year do you have the highest prevalence of mosquitoes in your area/ district/ city?” The question received 17,726 responses with 44% indicating “August-October”; 17% indicated “November-January”; 9% indicated "February-April”; 21% indicated "May-June” and 9% of respondents gave no clear answer. To sum up, 44% Indian households say August-October is the period when their area/district/city has the highest mosquito prevalence.

In summary, it is ironical that 49% Indian households surveyed spend INR 200 or more each month on mosquito control while 37% of them spend up to INR 200 at a time when inflation and other expenses are biting into household budgets. The study reveals that anti-mosquito repellent sprays, machines, rackets, creams and mosquito nets are top items Indian households use to protect themselves from mosquitoes and only 21% avail any kind of fogging services, which too are largely undertaken at a society/community level and not at an individual level. Different parts of the country have different peak period when mosquitoes become a major issue as the study shows, However, 44% Indian households surveyed say August-October is the period when their area/district/city has the highest mosquito prevalence.

LocalCircles will be sharing findings of this study with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Chief Secretaries of all states so that actions are taken to prevent and contain vector borne diseases in the remaining days of September and the month of October.

Survey Demographics

The survey received over 54,000 responses from household consumers located in 322 districts of India. 62% respondents were men while 38% respondents were women. 45% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2 and 29% respondents were from tier 3 and 4 districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.