Urban News

Hindustan Times 12.08.2010

Scientists to study mosquitoes troubling city

Parel has mostly aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue whereas Chunabhatti has more of anopheles mosquitoes, which carry the malaria parasite. This is a preliminary observation of scientists at the Haffkine Institute in Parel, who have been collecting mosquitoes from various parts of central Mumbai to understand which species and sub-species are dominant. "We decided to conduct this internal research because of the spurt in malaria cases," said Dr Abhay Choudhary, director of Haffkine.

Researchers are collecting mosquitoes to know which species are present, which stage they are in (eggs, larvae or adult mosquitoes) and to figure out the vector density in the areas. Since different measures are used to control larvae and adult mosquitoes, the mapping could help.

"Tests will tell us what proportion of the collected mosquitoes are carrying the malaria parasite," said Dr Choudhary. The study was being done for academic reasons, he said.

Haffkine Institute has been testing pesticides developed by various companies for 60 years and has a collection of mosquitoes, cockroaches, houseflies and termites. The institute certifies these products, which include mosquito repellant creams and sprays, based on their efficacy before they hit the market.

The civic body is planning to send a mosquito larvicidal oil, procured from a private company called Dapmans, to Haffkine to test its potency. "When this oil is sprayed on stagnant water, it forms a film and prevents larvae growth," said Dr Arun Bamne, BMC’s insecticide officer.

Haffkine's zoonosis department is also studying whether detergent powder and liquid soap can control mosquito breeding. "We want to see if putting a pinch of cheap household products like detergent and soap can control larvae growth," said Dr Ramaiya Mira, head of the zoonosis department.

Hindustan Times  12.08.2010

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray went on a blaming spree on Wednesday, pointing fingers at everyone except the Sena-ruled municipal corporation for all the problems Mumbai is facing. "Everybody wants a pie from Mumbai, but no one wants to share the responsibility," he said.

While the central agencies are doing little to battle malaria, state agencies are responsible for all the potholes and the Navy and the Port Trust are to blame for the oil spill, he said at a meeting in the  mayor’s  bungalow where he summoned all 85 corporators, union leaders and civic officials. The meeting was held to review the measures taken by the civic body to deal with civic problems. "The malaria crisis is not over. There is also a rise in viral fever. Indian Oil has refused to provide ML oil, which reduces oxygen supply to mosquitoes when sprayed at breeding sites. The BMC is now procuring it on its own," he said. "The Railways refuse to let the BMC use their hospitals for malaria patients and state-run hospitals are empty, even as civic hospitals overflow with patients."