MADURAI: A senior scientist of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) who is based in Madurai and has been working extensively on vector borne diseases has given a public awareness message on how to prevent mosquito breeding sources and about the possible dengue vaccine that could be available in the market in just a few years from now.
Dr.T.Mariappan, former scientist-F (Deputy Director Senior Grade), ICMR-VCRC, Madurai, has released a few important points yesterday to mark the World Dengue Day on June 15th 2025 that could be useful for reducing dengue and to learn what is happening right now for vaccine.
“A good vaccine could be available commercially in the market in the year 2030. India’s indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine- DengiAll- developed by Panacea Biotec is in trial stages and the first participant in this trail was vaccinated on August 13th 2024 at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Rohtak as per Ministry of Health statement. The ICMR and Panacea Biotec Limited have announced the initiation of the first ever phase 3 clinical trial for a dengue vaccine in India. The trail will evaluate the efficacy of that indigenous dengue vaccine through scientific study,” Dr.T.Mariappan who has retired from ICMR-VCRC and is now a consultant on vector borne diseases in India through his vast outreach programs, has said in Madurai on June 15th 2025.
WHAT PEOPLE MUST DO TO PREVENT DENGUE?
The vector borne diseases expert has urged the people to understand that dengue transmitting vector mosquitoes are called ‘Aedes aegypti’ or Ae.albopictus which are found in domestic habitats in water holding cement tanks, drums, grinding stones, tyres, flower pots, defrost water collection trays, bamboo stumps etc.
“These mosquitoes are day time biters and they rest in domestic conditions mostly in the dark corners of the house, on hanging clothes, umbrella, baskets, ropes, furniture etc. So, everyone must follow 7 commandments and these 7 Cs are- Covering, Cleaning, Converting, Conditioning, Creating, Cooperating and Communicating to impart basic knowledge about dengue causing mosquitoes in our homes. The World Health Organisation, ICMR and several others are doing a great work to prevent dengue, chikungunya etc. It is in our hands to reduce the dengue fever burden by removing mosquito breeding sources in our premises,” the retired senior scientist at ICMR’s Vector Control Research Centre in Madurai Dr.T.Mariappan has said while sharing a few thoughts about master plan to control mosquitoes and prevent dengue fever cases.
