Leader Writer: Vedajit Yumnam
While the first rainfall of the year was a welcome respite from the hot weather; it has nonetheless brought with it fears of vector borne diseases which are quite prevalent during the rainy days. Rain waters collected inside unused tyres, discarded toys, buckets, utensils etc are major breeding grounds of mosquitos which are known vectors of several deadly diseases like the Malaria. The vector borne diseases is an illness transmitted to people through blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes. Mosquitos lay their eggs on the water collected in pots, tyres or spots that can hold water such as ditches, puddles, rain barrels, ground pools, clogged rain gutters, neglected bird feeders containing standing water, refrigerators, air- conditioners after a shower of rain. While feeding on blood, some female species of mosquitoes transmit extremely harmful human and livestock diseases such as vector borne diseases which include Malaria, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis and Chikungunya in India. In fact, certain sections of experts consider mosquitoes to be the most dangerous insects on earth.
Awareness about vector borne diseases (VBDs) is very important for prevention and control of diseases. Sensitization campaigns and programs on vector borne diseases are also important measures to get rid of the disease. Controlling the breeding of vectors should be the among the topmost strategies and methods of all concern stakeholders in fighting the spread of the disease. Other means that one can apply in controlling its spread is by clearing blocked gutters, getting rid of unused plastic pools, and unused tyres, fill or drain puddles, waterlogged and swampy areas to wipe out mosquito breeding places. Other methods that one could employ to prevent or control transmission of VBDs in areas where disease is endemic are prevention of mosquito bites with insecticides, nets and repellents, window screens, mosquito nets, insecticide-treated mosquito nets can be used to prevent mosquito bites. For those who abhor chemical use, biological control or bio-control is the use of natural predators to control mosquito populations. Among several types of biological control are the direct introduction of parasites, pathogens and predators to target mosquitoes. Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) and some cyprinids (carps and minnows) that feed on mosquito are predatory fish and they are some of effective bio-control agents.
Insect repellents protect human beings from mosquito bites from a short time. Insect repellants include DEET, picaridin, Eucalyptus oil (PMD) and IR3535. Plants which can repel mosquitoes include citronella, marigolds, etc. The use of DDT in combating mosquitoes has been a considerably controversial matter. Some of the measures such as opportune vaccination and routine immunization of children also can control the disease.
Emerging new lifestyles also contribute to the prevalence of mosquitoes. Some of the Vector Borne diseases common in India such as Malaria, Kala-azar, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis and Filaria, outbreaks of Malaria, dengue and JE occur in Manipur. Malaria is the fatal disease not only in Manipur but all over the world. The Climate of Moreh is suitable for the breeding of mosquitoes and VB diseases including JE and Dengue are prevalent in Moreh town and the Churachandpur district. Vector borne diseases can be diagnosed and treated at JNIMS, RIMS hospitals and health care centers in most of the districts of Manipur. Mosquitoes and VBDs should not be taken lightly though the number of infections and deaths from malaria decreases to some extent except in Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts.
The percentage of rain will will gain momentum and Manipur will see more rain water pooling during the course of the summer monsoon. And mosquitoes can lay eggs in spots suitable for flood and areas holding standing water. It only takes a few days for mosquitoes to develop from eggs to “biting” adults. Public awareness of VBDs should be generated and all possible measures to contain the diseases should also be taken up.Fumigation should be taken up by the concerned department and efforts must be made to ensure that drainages are not blocked since water retention in drains will lead to giving a medium for vector borne diseases to thrive and spread its tentacles.