A study of Vadodara and Chhotaudepur districts conducted by MS University's (MSU) Department of Geography of Faculty of Science identifies tribal areas of the region as high risk areas of vector-borne diseases, especially malaria. According to the study, Jetpur Pavi, Naswadi, Kawant and Chhota Udepur talukas in Chhota Udepur district run the highest risk of malaria. Vadodara district is largely at a moderate risk of malaria with problem areas in parts of Dabhoi, Savli and Sinor talukas. The study states that the concrete jungle makes Vadodara city only moderately susceptible to malaria in spite of heavy rainfall. "Malaria and other vector-borne diseases are some of the most complex health issues that the world is facing today. The diverse ecological regions in developing areas like that of the districts studied burden the basic public health planning. Identifying the risk areas and executing area-specific health plans would help authorities handle malaria better," said Bindoo Bhatt, principal researcher of the project. The three-month long study that ended in December 2014 included historical data to compare the findings with the on-ground realities. "We used techniques to extensively map the entire stretch of the two districts. The study shows that nearly 30 per cent area of the districts is at high risk of malaria and need special attention," said research scholar Janak Joshi. The study suggests that health authorities fail to recognize the local problems and implement specific precautionary measures to areas, which are more at risk of malaria. The health authorities, however, said the schemes undertaken by them are inclusive and equally effective. "We are aware that malaria is more prevalent in some areas, but that does not qualify shifting our resources from less prone areas. The standard precautionary measures need to be applied across both the districts," said Dr M T Chari, Vadodara and Chhotaudepur district health officer. "However, doctors posted in the high risk areas are put on alert when the season sets in. Every case of mild fever is prioritized and followed carefully. The number of health workers is hiked in the tribal areas to provide proper care and reduce the mortality rate," Chari added. Researchers use remote sensing to identify areas prone to malaria Times News Network Vadodara: Researchers at MSU's Department of Geography at Faculty of Science studied the effect of temperature, vegetation and man to vector contact along with drainage density. The researchers also studied the topography and land use in the regions to recognize the factors, which affect the spread of malaria, apart from rainfall, presence of water and humidity. "A complex ecological system dictates the vector-borne diseases. We tend to concentrate on rainfall and areas of stagnant water when we study vector-borne diseases. Mosquito-breeding sites are affected by multiple aspects and a complete study can help us comprehend the infections better," said researcher Bindoo Bhatt. "Patterns of mosquito reproduction, development, longevity and parasite survival depend on wind direction in region and even ground elevation," Bhatt added. The study incorporates remote sensing and multi-criteria evaluation to spatially locate precise regions at high malaria risk. "Identifying small and hidden catchment areas along the hilly areas can prove helpful in larval intervention. Drainage into the swamps of various rivers in the region poses another problem area for the authorities," Bhatt added. "Malaria outbreak can be intervened with simple solutions like residual spraying and use of bed net. This study can be used to explain why certain places are prone to malaria while some do not have any outbreaks at all. Effective alternative strategy can be modeled on the data collected during the study," said researcher Janak Joshi.