Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 08, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
I read the article titled: “Chemical used in Mosquito Fog ‘environmentally friendly’ – says Vector Control Services” and wondered why habitat modification at the home level is not mentioned as a strategy to reduce the targeted Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Additionally, promoting the wider use of insect repellent that contains DEET or Picaridinetc so as to reduce human exposure to mosquito bites.
The author was taught that it is extremely important, to close doors and windows as well as to turn off all air condition units so as to reduce drifts from settling out on furniture, beds as well as counter tops, during active fogging.
This also, limits human exposure by inhalation to droplets of Malathion that is mixed in this case with the carrier diesel- a petroleum distillate.
Many countries are reducing the use of Abate-Temephos, that is an organophosphate (OP) pesticide and are moving to control mosquito larvae with biopesticides,e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis(Bti) serotype H14- Aquabac.
I recall working as a senior public health inspector (1997-2002) at Grove East Bank Demerara and two university students were attached to my office for their practicum. I motivated them to undertake a mosquito larval survey of water storage barrels in Covent Garden and the container index was alarming.
It was my intention to commence a simple education program to mitigate the risk of the transmission of specific mosquito borne disease to humans but I migrated. Incidentally, I have three, four hundred gallon water tanks at my property on the West Coast Demerara and they were screened with pieces of Marvex detergent plastic bottle.
I first cut a piece of the plastic jug; then heat an ice pick on the stove and after perforated it in several spots to make it work as a screen. I then used Evostik glue and stuck the perforated plastic over the aeration port or overflow outlet of the tank.
This cost less than G$100 at that time. Is it not possible that this simple, low cost solution be replicated to the wider community? Or is it too difficult to undertake? Or what about the application of a few tablespoonful of edible oil in the rain barrels or the use of a clean piece of cloth with a few bungee cords to cover them?
I have used safe mesh but I found that they deteriorate very quickly but the Marvex plastic survived for several years. It is known that a hole that is less than 1/16″ in diameter will not permit mosquitoes to pass through.
We have to empower citizens to be part of the broader aspect of an integrated vector control program.
The Ministry of Health cannot do this alone. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are multivoltine, peridomestic, have a home range of 400 meters and are crepuscular in their biting habits.
I wonder whether Mr. Indarjeet Rambajhanand Mr. Vibert Stroom are still around as I am sure, that the program can benefit from their expertise.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are a problem as the Ministry of Health, Statistical Unit, 2008& 2009 publication revealed that 389 and 424 Dengue fever cases respectively, were identified nationally and region 4 accounted for 280(72%) and 219(52%) of those cases. It is my hope that PAHO/WHO representative had discussed with Mr. David Williams the benefits of using ULD machines and the effects of 5-15 micron MMD on the mosquito setae; impacts of temperature inversion; wind speed; relative humidity etc. during the adulticiding program.
The author holds a Mosquito/Biting Flies as well as Structural Extermination license with the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change since 2003 and 2008 respectively. He completed the applicable courses (two modules each) for each of the license through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
He has conducted and evaluated several mosquito larvicidin gprograms, as well as,monitored adult mosquito populations over the last 10years; as part of the West Nile Virus (WNV) control program.
He continues to play an active role in the WNV, Lyme disease and Powassan encephalitis surveillance and education program,in addition, to performing many other public health duties for his provincial employer.
Aptie Sookoo BSc, CPHI (C)
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