The Hindu : Front Page : Anti-fly drive planned in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Anti-fly drive planned in city

Kannal Achuthan

— Photo: N. Sridharan

Health Hazard: Houseflies swarm over discarded food in Besant Nagar.

CHENNAI: Over the last week, many homes in the city have been invaded by unwelcome visitors — houseflies.

The recent showers created ideal breeding conditions for the flies. The Chennai Corporation has planned an anti-fly drive as the insect can spread bacteria, viruses and parasitic worms. Insecticide will be sprayed on decaying matter or garbage in which maggots — young ones of the housefly — thrive.

“Maggots need moist soil to bury themselves when they are pupae and re-emerge as adult flies. This cannot happen when soil is dry and impenetrable,” said B. Dhanraj, entomologist and retired chief vector control officer of the Corporation. Flies thrive in a humid environment with temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius.

A fly’s sticky foot pads and hairy body can carry pathogens that cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and tuberculosis. They eat contaminated matter and regurgitate half-digested food and saliva to soften their next meal. When humans consume the infected food, pathogens enter the digestive system.

Mr. Dhanraj recommended that people keep garbage bins in their homes tightly closed and ensure that food is always covered. City Health Officer P. Kuganantham said the Corporation would clear rotten fruit and organic waste to control the fly menace.

Doctors advise people against eating in restaurants that keep food uncovered or dumping food waste on roads. Vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly before consumption as flies settle on them in markets.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page