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Tamil Nadu Fights Dengue: New Science to Stop Mosquitoes
8 Sep
Summary
- Tamil Nadu will conduct scientific studies on dengue prevention methods.
- Studies will test topical repellents, natural oils, and vaporizers.
- Over 2,880 households in Tenkasi district will participate in the trials.
The government of Tamil Nadu is embarking on scientific investigations to discover novel methods for dengue prevention. These efforts are particularly focused on the Tenkasi district, specifically the Kadayanallur area, which has a high rate of dengue cases. The initiative involves three Cluster Randomised Controlled Studies designed to assess the efficacy of additional protection measures against Aedes mosquitoes, the vectors of dengue.
The studies will explore various repellents, including those applied to the body, natural options like lemon eucalyptus oil, and vaporizers. Researchers will also examine potential side effects from their use. While individual use of topical repellents is known to prevent bites, community-level impact on dengue spread remains unstudied. These trials, costing an estimated ₹43 lakh, will involve approximately 2,880 households across 48 clusters each.
Despite ongoing prevention measures, dengue remains a significant public health challenge in Tamil Nadu. In 2025, the state reported 25,580 dengue cases and 12 deaths. So far in 2026, 14,581 people have been affected, with nine fatalities. The research aims to identify the most effective repellents, assess the combined benefits of repellents with mosquito nets, and evaluate household-level protective measures.
