Encourage breeding of guppy or gambusia fish in large numbers; install mosquito nets on windows, doors, and ventilators of government hospitals; or provide mosquito nets dipped in mosquito repellents in all wards.
These are some of the preventive steps proposed by the Health Department as part of the Malaria Day programme on April 25 though doubts remain over their impact in containing the vector-borne disease which seems to be making a comeback in the State. The authorities have intensified measures against the backdrop of a spurt in indigenous cases from Thiruvananthapuram, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, and Malappuram over years.
Experts, however, said that no scientific study had been undertaken in Kerala on the advantages and disadvantages of releasing the exotic fish variety into the State’s natural waterbodies. Dinesan Cheruvatt, Joint Director, Fisheries, told The Hindu on Sunday that though guppy was a larvivorous fish species, it was not advisable to release it into our natural waterbodies. Guppy is a fish belonging to Trinidad and Tobago and the coastal South America.
“No scientific study has been done on its possible impact on our native fish species. For example, how their population will multiply and affect the ecosystem,” he said. Dr. Dinesan said there were native varieties of larvivorous fish species such as Manathukanni or Kannikuriyan, found in backwaters, which could be used for mosquito eradication.
‘A known practice’
R.L. Saritha, Director, Health Services, however, said the department was just trying to create awareness about the need to eradicate mosquitoes by encouraging breeding of guppy and gambusia. “I am not aware of any adverse impact of guppy fish on the native species. I have not come across any scientific studies either. Similar programmes are being undertaken by other States as well, and for the past many years,” she said. Primary health centres and taluk and district hospitals are supposed to set up fish hatcheries from where people could buy fingerlings. Fish breeding is also encouraged in public wells and those on school premises.
