The Hindu : Front Page : Fish to be used to fight mosquitoes

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Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
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Fish to be used to fight mosquitoes

Shastry V. Mallady

Initiative by Health Department to prevent vector-borne diseases
Permanent fish hatcheries to be created

MADURAI: The State health machinery has decided to deploy two fish varieties on the field in its onslaught against mosquitoes to prevent vector-borne diseases.

As per a plan chalked out by the Directorate of Public Health (DPH), permanent fish hatcheries would be created in the network of Primary Health Centres and health sub-centres where the two non-edible fish varieties would be reared and supplied to public places/residential buildings on demand.

“The fish varieties- Gambusia and Guppies- will be effective in checking the mosquito larva. The DPH through it’s nine zonal offices in the State would set up small hatcheries and also protect the existing natural hatcheries,” S. Elango, Additional Director of Public Health, told The Hindu on Sunday.

To start with, the DPH expects to construct 1,500 fish hatcheries in malaria-endemic districts and with a particular focus on 11 municipalities/urban areas.

Dr. Elango was reviewing the implementation of “Our health is in our Hands” State-wide project in Madurai, Dindigul and Tiruchi districts that was aimed at creating awareness on prevention of both water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases.

Explaining the reasons for choosing fish as a medium, he said that the two varieties are very active, low cost, eco-friendly and would swiftly eat away the larva of mosquitoes. The fish would be given in a sachet to the people and subsequently it could be grown, he said.

A fortnight campaign involving general public is now being undertaken (till March 15) by taking the support of elected representatives and local panchayats.

SHG cooperation

The DPH is also seeking the active cooperation of Self Help Groups and student community in its effort to create awareness on keeping one’s premises safe and clean and also to supply the fish for mosquito control.

Besides, the Public Works Department too is being wooed for disease control programmes because public buildings maintained by it should not have mosquito-breeding sites. He said that the Directorate would extend technical support and advocacy for setting up small hatcheries by communities.

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