ICMR School of Public Health

NIeCer 105: Basic Course in Vector-Borne Diseases for 
Health Professionals

A self paced online certificate course

For Whom?

Students from medical/allied health courses, public health students, public health managers, and field supervisors.

Course duration 

Self-paced: enroll and compleate the course at any time

Course certificate

A minimum of 80% in each module is mandatory for successful completion and certification. e-Certificate will be sent to the registered e-mail id of successful participants 

Learning mode
  • Video lectures
  • Presentation slides
  • MCQs
  • Further readings

This self-paced course aims to provide the learners with an overview of the basic concepts of epidemiology, as applicable to vector-borne diseases. After introducing the learners to the fundamental concepts of designing, conducting, and interpreting epidemiological studies, the course focuses on the natural history, prevention, control, elimination, and eradication strategies for vector-borne diseases. Subsequently, there is a brief segment on the biology, behavior, and identification characteristics, of important vectors. The course concludes with an overview of the burden, program targets, epidemiological determinants, diagnosis, management, and control measures of the common vector-borne diseases in India.

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Coursre Layout

Module I: Basic epidemiology

  • Introduction to epidemiological concepts
  • Measures of disease frequency research
  • Descriptive epidemiology
  • How to choose the appropriate study design for your research?
  • Principles of disease surveillance
  • Approach for investigating an outbreak
  •  Principles of data analysis
  •  Principles of data presentation

Module II:  Concepts in VBD epidemiology

  • Introduction to epidemiological concepts in VBDs
  • Dynamics and Modes of transmission
  • Agent-host-vector-environment interactions
  • Factors affecting vector-borne transmission and risk groups
  • VBDs Prevention, Control, Elimination & Eradication
  • Challenges in vector control strategies

Module III:  Entomolog y

  •  Biology of Disease Vectors
  • Practical design and intervention options
  • Vector control: Methods of implementation and indices
  • Tick and fleas: Biology and control
  • Mites: Biology, control, and indices
  • Vector surveillance
  • Integrated vector management
  • Social and Behaviour Change communication and community participation in VBD control

Module IV: Specific Vector Borne Diseases

  • Malaria - Burden, program targets, epidemiological determinants
  • Malaria - Transmission dynamics, High risk groups, and related definitions
  • Malaria - Clinical features, Diagnosis and management
  • Malaria - Control measures, indicators for tracking progress
  • Dengue - Burden, program targets, epidemiological determinants
  • Dengue – Clinical features, diagnosis & management
  • Dengue – Definition of important terms, high risk groups, transmission dynamics
  • Dengue – Risk Factors, development of transmission risk maps, forecasting 
  • Epidemiology of vector-borne disease- Japanese Encephalitis
  • National Programme for Prevention and Control of Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis
  • Filariasis - Definitions of important terms, Risk factors, Transmission
  • Filariasis - Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management
  • Filariasis: Diagnostics & Xeno-monitoring
  • Elimination of Lymphatic filariasis - strategies, targets, new approach - monitoring and evaluation
  • Leishmaniasis - Burden, program targets, epidemiological determinants
  • Leishmaniasis - Transmission dynamics, High risk groups, definitions of important terms
  • Leishmaniasis - Clinical features, Diagnosis and management
  • Leishmaniasis – Control measures and Indicators for tracking progress
  •  Chikungunya - Burden, epidemiological determinants, transmission
  • Chikungunya - Clinical features, diagnosis, management

Course process

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