This story is from August 24, 2019

‘Fogging not a solution to control mosquito menace’

‘Fogging not a solution to control mosquito menace’
Panaji: Fogging is only carried out in an emergency and should not be looked at as a measure to control the mosquito menace, according to Dr Anant Palyekar, deputy director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
When dengue and malaria cases, including just suspected cases, are reported from an area, fogging is carried out by the directorate of health services to knock down the infection carrying mosquitoes.
In the event of an outbreak of any vector borne disease(s), fogging is also done to control an epidemic.
“The aim of fogging is to kill infected mosquitos, not to end the mosquito menace. We cannot fog indiscriminately and must be careful. Resistance to chemicals is being observed in mosquitoes and this can be dangerous,” said Palyekar.
Mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices but female mosquitoes, in addition to this, require the blood of mammals to be able to lay their eggs. To reduce breeding and curb the mosquito menace, people can clear bushes in their vicinity and destroy their breeding sites — stagnant water.
Malaria cases are often detected at construction sites and among the lower income group population that sleep in the open environment at night with no protection from mosquitoes. However, the dengue mosquito is a day- biting one and can infect anybody.
Palyekar stresses on the importance of observing a dry day at home once a week, where all uncovered water storage containers are not only emptied but also scrubbed before being refilled. “It is not sufficient if the containers are emptied. The eggs of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito can survive for months together without water. ,” he says.
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