Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Bitten by diseases while escaping from mosquitoes
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItem...ge=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0
Wednesday September 13 2006 10:58 IST
TIRUCHY: In a case of ?out of the frying pan, into the fire,? people using mosquito repellents, in an effort to guard themselves from mosquito bites, which could cause diseases like Chikungunya, are unknowingly becoming victims to the side effects of the repellents, some of which can cause even respiratory problems.
Many people now prefer repellents to mosquito nets or proofs, as mosquito population is menacing. And a variety of repellents are marketed in the form of mats, coils, lotions, sprays and vaporizers, which are either synthetic chemicals or plant derived chemicals.
Though many repellents that are made of natural substances such as smoke, oils of citronella, lavender, eucalyptus and lemon are available, they have been replaced by synthetic repellents, which are considered most effective.
Repellents are substances used to repel insects away from a source, which are volatile chemicals and have low toxicity. A strong repellent repels the insect, while a mild one requires direct contact with the insect.
The use of repellents, says Dr G Jeyachandran, former Joint Director of Medical Service, mostly affects the respiratory system and causes nasal block or throat congestion. However, the effect of a repellent varies from person to person, he adds.
Repellents do not kill mosquitoes and the best ones would only provide protection from bites for a long period with just one application, he points out adding that spraying or use of coils is not advisable within closed rooms.
Prolonged use of coils could lead to adverse effects on health and cause severe ailments including bronchitis, respiratory problems, eye irritations, nausea, neuro-toxic and immuno-toxic hazards and rashes and allergies, he said.
While District Malaria Officer Dr Catherine Malliga says that fogging operations is under way in most of the affected areas in the district, she also agrees that the persistent use of the fogging could also lead to asthma and other side effects.
People should go out of the houses and leave the doors and windows open during fogging operations. Doors should be closed immediately for the mosquitoes to die, says deputy director of Health Services and Family Welfare Dr M Akila, who also adds that that a particular agent in the spray could be causegenic agent (Malathion) of cancer. So repeated exposure to fogging operation could also cause health hazards.
Dr Jeyachandran says that instead of using chemical-based repellents, it is always better to go in for safe measures such as weekly emptying and drying of all stagnated water sources, good drainage in the low-lying areas, ditches and periodical desilting of drains, sewers and storm water drains before the onset of monsoon.
He also stresses that wells and sumps should be provided with ventilating shafts and water stored in containers should be well protected from the entry of mosquitoes.
He suggests to use mosquito proofs or nets for protection from mosquito bites or go in for natural means. Besides, according to him, there is a need for spreading the awareness on the safe alternatives among the communities and local bodies.
Recently, a social organisation embarked upon a unique concept of preventing mosquitoes breeding in the drains, by placing bundles of crude oil mixed with saw dust in the sewage and this method should be repeated once in 45 days for preventing the spread of chikungunya.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItem...ge=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0
Wednesday September 13 2006 10:58 IST
TIRUCHY: In a case of ?out of the frying pan, into the fire,? people using mosquito repellents, in an effort to guard themselves from mosquito bites, which could cause diseases like Chikungunya, are unknowingly becoming victims to the side effects of the repellents, some of which can cause even respiratory problems.
Many people now prefer repellents to mosquito nets or proofs, as mosquito population is menacing. And a variety of repellents are marketed in the form of mats, coils, lotions, sprays and vaporizers, which are either synthetic chemicals or plant derived chemicals.
Though many repellents that are made of natural substances such as smoke, oils of citronella, lavender, eucalyptus and lemon are available, they have been replaced by synthetic repellents, which are considered most effective.
Repellents are substances used to repel insects away from a source, which are volatile chemicals and have low toxicity. A strong repellent repels the insect, while a mild one requires direct contact with the insect.
The use of repellents, says Dr G Jeyachandran, former Joint Director of Medical Service, mostly affects the respiratory system and causes nasal block or throat congestion. However, the effect of a repellent varies from person to person, he adds.
Repellents do not kill mosquitoes and the best ones would only provide protection from bites for a long period with just one application, he points out adding that spraying or use of coils is not advisable within closed rooms.
Prolonged use of coils could lead to adverse effects on health and cause severe ailments including bronchitis, respiratory problems, eye irritations, nausea, neuro-toxic and immuno-toxic hazards and rashes and allergies, he said.
While District Malaria Officer Dr Catherine Malliga says that fogging operations is under way in most of the affected areas in the district, she also agrees that the persistent use of the fogging could also lead to asthma and other side effects.
People should go out of the houses and leave the doors and windows open during fogging operations. Doors should be closed immediately for the mosquitoes to die, says deputy director of Health Services and Family Welfare Dr M Akila, who also adds that that a particular agent in the spray could be causegenic agent (Malathion) of cancer. So repeated exposure to fogging operation could also cause health hazards.
Dr Jeyachandran says that instead of using chemical-based repellents, it is always better to go in for safe measures such as weekly emptying and drying of all stagnated water sources, good drainage in the low-lying areas, ditches and periodical desilting of drains, sewers and storm water drains before the onset of monsoon.
He also stresses that wells and sumps should be provided with ventilating shafts and water stored in containers should be well protected from the entry of mosquitoes.
He suggests to use mosquito proofs or nets for protection from mosquito bites or go in for natural means. Besides, according to him, there is a need for spreading the awareness on the safe alternatives among the communities and local bodies.
Recently, a social organisation embarked upon a unique concept of preventing mosquitoes breeding in the drains, by placing bundles of crude oil mixed with saw dust in the sewage and this method should be repeated once in 45 days for preventing the spread of chikungunya.
