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No respite from mosquito menace
Denizens are spending sleepless nights due to mosquito menace. Though anti-larval operations and fogging, mosquitoes are being conducted in the city there is no respite for the people from mosquitoes.
Vijayawada: Denizens are spending sleepless nights due to mosquito menace. Though anti-larval operations and fogging, mosquitoes are being conducted in the city there is no respite for the people from mosquitoes.
The incidence of malaria, dengue and other diseases is a cause for concern. As many as 14 cases of malaria and three cases of dengue were reported officially October this year. A total of 277 malaria cases, 42 dengue and four chikungunya cases were registered under the city limits since January.
According to an official of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), who looks after anti-mosquito measures, anti-larva exercise has been going on in all six malaria divisions. “Every locality in the city is covered once in a week.
The aquatic state (mosquito breeding on the surface of water) lasts for six days and this is the reason, we destroy larvae by spraying mosquito larvicide (ML oil) in drains and canals. Every year about 25,000 litres of ML oil sprayed in stagnated water. Apart from this, we use 700 litres of temephos, another larvicide to destroy larvae. About 275 workers have been engaged in spraying mosquito-killing liquids.
The government was supplying Rs 25 lakh worth larvicide and adulticides every year. We released 17,500 gambusia fish in low-lying areas and wells from January to September. The fish eats larvae and prevents mosquito birth. To kill mosquitoes, we have been fogging regularly,” he added.
People, however, blaming the officials for increased mosquito menace.
They allege improper supervision had aggravated the situation. “Mosquitoes are growing in water stagnated in surroundings of housing colonies. The mosquito control work need a close watch as mosquito bites increased. They developed resistance to mosquito coils and other mosquito repellents available in markets. We have been spending sleepless nights due to increase in incidence of mosquitoes.
Children suffer a lot as they are prone to diseases,” says M Jyothi, a housewife. Field survey by malaria department has also failed to record the cases correctly. The exact figures of cases are not available. Field staff feel they were overburdened by work. While one health assistant is needed for every 10,000 population, the existing 41 staff cannot cater to the entire population, according to a health assistant.
By Noor Shaik
