Under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), which is the most common Plasmodium species responsible for malaria in India?

Explanation

## Epidemiology of Malaria in India **Key Point:** Plasmodium vivax is the most common cause of malaria in India, accounting for approximately 60–70% of all malaria cases nationally, despite P. falciparum being responsible for the majority of severe and fatal cases. ### Geographic Distribution | Plasmodium Species | Prevalence in India | Clinical Severity | Geographic Focus | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | P. vivax | 60–70% (most common) | Mild to moderate | Pan-India, especially NE and central regions | | P. falciparum | 25–35% | Severe, high mortality | Coastal, forest, tribal areas | | P. malariae | <5% | Mild, chronic | Sporadic, limited foci | | P. ovale | <1% | Mild | Rare in India | ### Key Characteristics of P. vivax in India - **Relapsing malaria:** Hypnozoites in liver cause relapses weeks to months after primary infection. - **Chloroquine-resistant strains:** Increasingly reported from Northeast India and some central regions. - **Vector:** Anopheles stephensi (urban), Anopheles fluviatilis (rural). - **Gametocyte development:** Rapid (3–5 days), facilitating transmission. **High-Yield:** Under NVBDCP surveillance, P. vivax dominates case notifications across most Indian states. However, P. falciparum causes disproportionate morbidity and mortality, making it the public health priority for severe case management and drug resistance monitoring. **Clinical Pearl:** Primaquine is essential for P. vivax (and P. ovale) to eliminate hypnozoites and prevent relapse; it is not required for P. falciparum or P. malariae. **Warning:** Do not confuse "most common" (P. vivax by case count) with "most severe" (P. falciparum by mortality). NVBDCP tracks both epidemiology and severity separately.