PUBLIC HEALTH (INTERNATIONAL HEALTH)

Vector Surveillance

Vector Surveillance at Points of Entry (PoEs)

International Health Security

International Points of Entry, including international airports, seaports and land border crossings, are critical locations for preventing the international spread of vectors, reservoirs and vector-borne diseases.

Airports
Seaports
Land borders

IHR 2005

Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, India maintain appropriate public health capacities at designated PoEs. Vector surveillance and control activities help detect medically important vectors, assess the risk of disease transmission and implement timely preventive and control measures.

DetectFind medically important vectors
AssessGauge the risk of transmission
ControlAct with timely preventive measures

Active scan 480 Hz

Surveillance Protocol

Baseline Coverage

Surveillance covers the PoE premises and the surrounding area extending at least 400 metres from the PoE boundary.

Dynamic Expansion

Wider coverage is implemented where required by local ecological conditions, vector dispersal patterns, or specific public health risks.

Expert Oversight

Oversight and technical guidance for these activities are provided through periodic assessments and seasonal surveys by expert teams from this Directorate.

Objectives

The overarching goal of vector surveillance and control at PoEs is to establish and sustain a vector-free environment within operational and surrounding areas. These activities aim to reduce the risk of vector-borne disease transmission, prevent the importation of infected vectors and reservoirs, and minimize the exportation of indigenous vectors to other countries. Surveillance also supports the early detection of invasive vector species and promotes inter-sectoral collaboration under the principles of Integrated Vector Management (IVM).

Key Points
• Maintain vector-free conditions at PoEs.
• Prevent importation and exportation of vectors and vector-borne diseases.
• Detect and eliminate invasive vector species at the earliest stage.
• Strengthen Integrated Vector Management and inter-sectoral coordination.

Priority Vector-Borne Diseases and Vectors

Diseases of concern include malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika virus disease, plague, and leptospirosis. Surveillance programmes therefore focus on monitoring priority vectors and reservoirs such as mosquitoes, rodents, houseflies, fleas, lice, ticks, and mites, which have the potential to transmit diseases across national boundaries.

Surveillance and assessment

Vector surveillance activities are planned based on local epidemiology, vector ecology, environmental conditions, and the likelihood of vector introduction or exportation through international conveyances. Routine surveillance is conducted under normal conditions to monitor vector density, breeding habitats, and potential disease risks. During outbreaks, public health emergencies, or detection of invasive species, emergency surveillance is activated to intensify monitoring and support rapid response measures. Surveillance coverage is expanded whenever necessary based on vector flight range, seasonality, and local risk assessment.

Vector Control at PoEs

Vector control is an essential component of public health preparedness at PoEs and aims to prevent the introduction, establishment, and dissemination of vectors through ships, aircraft, vehicles, trains, cargo, and containers. Control measures are implemented through an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) approach that combines environmental, mechanical, biological, and chemical interventions in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. Based on the survey findings, the pest control team of the POE operator is assigned for implementing the vector control activities inside the POE.

Emergency Response Measures

Rapid response mechanisms are activated whenever there is evidence of a vector-borne disease outbreak, identification of an invasive vector species, or surveillance findings indicating a significant public health threat. The response includes convening emergency coordination meetings, conducting rapid risk assessments, preparing action plans, intensifying surveillance, implementing vector control interventions, and continuously monitoring the effectiveness of response measures. Control operations continue until the outbreak is contained or the invasive species is successfully eliminated.

Commitment to Public Health Security

Vector surveillance and control at Points of Entry constitute a critical component of India's public health preparedness and global health security framework. Through continuous monitoring, timely risk assessment, and implementation of integrated control measures, PoEs help prevent the international spread of vector-borne diseases while ensuring compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

Guidelines and resources

International guidelines

National technical advisories