The intermittent rain and change in climate has resulted in a sudden spurt of mosquitoes. While there has been no outbreak of vector-borne diseases so far, residents, especially those in the newly-added areas to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, are facing an onslaught of mosquitoes.
Residents are worried that the sudden spurt may result in an outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases.
Despite this being the situation regularly, the BBMP has not had an entomologist for the last two years.
Naveen Kumar, BBMP Project Coordinator for National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme, said the jurisdictional medical officers of health (MOH) were in charge of planning and executing mosquito control programmes in their areas.
Attributing the sudden spurt to the heat and change in climatic conditions, Dr. Kumar said, “The high temperature during summer is conducive for mosquito breeding. But these insects have only nuisance value. They are not freshwater mosquitoes that cause dengue or chikungunya.”
Claiming that the palike was regularly spraying chemicals in all breeding areas, the official said, “There are several spots that are not accessible. With several lakes drying up, water gets stagnated in small ponds where mosquitoes easily breed.”
BBMP has not had an entomologist for the last two years.
