Rains no bar for mosquitoes in Kochi

KOCHI: The mosquito menace in the city has become more insidious this monsoon, thanks to the changing rain pattern. Usually, the mosquito density and vector borne diseases are more during the months of November, December and January. But this year, there has been considerable increase in mosquito population during rainy days. The rate of vector-borne diseases including dengue fever and chikungunya is also higher this year.

During a recent council meeting, Opposition leader K.J Antony raised the issue of unusual increase in the mosquito population during heavy rains. “The Health committee chairperson should immediately give instructions to start fogging in areas where the menace is severe. There has been a sharp increase in the number of dengue fever cases reported from west Kochi areas as the population of disease-causing mosquito species has gone up,” he said.

Meanwhile, health experts cite the irregular rain pattern as the major reason for unusual increase in density of mosquitoes. Usually, mosquito density in the city is in the range of 65 MHD (man hour density) to 85 MHD during the peak months of November, December and January. The attack of parasites will be the maximum during winter when the daytime are hot and nights are cold.

But this year, the insects are growing thick and fast even during June and July with an average increase of 20 per cent in the density of the parasites. However, the civic authorities are reluctant to do fogging or spraying of pesticides as it will not be effective and will be a waste of money.