Mosquitoes Continue to Bite the City

Mosquito borne diseases are prevalent all over the country. Mosquito borne diseases are malaria, filaria, dengue, brain fever and yellow fever. The deadliest and one of the most endemic diseases in the world today is Malaria. This disease is actually caused by a mosquito bite. In Chennai, in addition to malaria, dengue and   is the most prevalent diseases spread by mosquitoes. Certain parts of the city are also prone to filaria. Reports form various parts of the city show that there is an increase in mosquito borne diseases due to tremendous increase in mosquitoes. There are various reasons for the increase in mosquito menace.  Of course, the polluted waterways and canals such as Coum, Adyar river, Buckingham Canal, Otteri Nullah and others which cruise around the city are the main cause      for the spread of mosquito .The mosquito borne diseases are also the result of low hygiene and sanitation, particularly in the slums and low income settlement areas, and poor insect control in the high income settlement areas. It is distressing to note that poor quality of recently constructed/renovated storm water drains is an added cause for the spread of mosquitoes. Everybody knows that the quality of construction by the Chennai Corporation is abysmally poor. There is now worthwhile quality control for the construction undertaken by the Corporation as well as Metro Water. Widespread corruption and gross inefficiency are the reasons for the poor standard of construction. Stagnation of water in unoccupied plots is also a reason, besides improperly maintained overhead tanks, accumulated garbage, etc. Of course inadequate mosquito control and paucity of staff are also reasons for growing mosquito menace in the city. Unless the Corporation initiates definite steps control   malaria and other mosquito borne diseases will continue to cause sufferings to the people.

 Dr.C.Murukadas, The Hindu, August 16, 2012