India, Oct. 4 -- Following spike in vector-borne diseases, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint 200 contractual field staff for surveillance and containment activities, officials said.

The PMC insect control department has 814 approved posts, with 514 vacant. Of the 300 filled positions, 205 are working in the field. The department conducts surveillance, containment and management of vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, filaria, kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, chikungunya and Zika.

Dr Rajesh Dighe, PMC assistant health officer and head of vector-borne diseases programme, said that the proposal to hire 200 contractual staff for the insect control department was pending since last three years.

"The municip...