Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 12 2010:
In a move to control vector borne diseases, the state has started to introduce two fish variety-gambusia affitis and guppy besides using other chemical pesticides.
Fishes were introduced in the state recently as part of controlling vector borne diseases including malaria, Japanese encephalitis and dengue, Dr H Nimaichand, state malaria officer said while responding to a question during the day long advocacy meeting of the media personnel on prevention and control of vector borne diseases here today.
Even though the malaria scenario in the state not so alarming comparing to other north eastern states, prevention and other precautionary measures has been taken up in view of it's geographical location.
Out of six vector borne diseases, only malaria,Japanese encephalitis, dengue are found in Manipur.
The newly introduced fish varieties Gambusia affinis is a small fish native to the fresh waters of the eastern and southern United States.
It has become a pest in many waterways around the world following initial introductions early last century as a biological control of mosquito.
In general, it is considered to be no more effective than native predators of mosquitoes.
The highly predatory mosquito fish eats the eggs of economically desirable fish and preys on and endangers rare indigenous fish and invertebrate species.
Mosquito fish are difficult to eliminate once established, so the best way to reduce their effects is to control their further spread.
However State's malaria officer Dr Nimaichand believed that introduction of such fish varieties wouldn't affect the ecology of the rerion.The officer also further added that in order to take up precautionary measures to prevent Japanese Encephalitis(JE), a widespread vaccination programme will be organized in the state.
"Those children in the age range of 1-15 years will be given the vaccine once",he said."Because vaccination is the only solution to prevent Japanese Encephalitis".
Interestingly unlike the past the state is going to use around 30 MT of DDT against last year's record of using only about 5 MT of DDT.
The reason of the sudden increase of the quantity according to the state malaria officer is because the sudden requirement in the inter-state border villages.
State vector borne disease control society's Etomologist Y Krishna also highlighted the mosquito morphology while the Biologist T Kamini presented a paper on integrated vector management after it's formal inaugural function which was attended by senior journalist K Madhumangol and executive editor of manipur mail N Ibungochoubi Singh.Most of the speakers expressed that media has big role to play in preventing the vector borne diseases.