Gambusia fish being released into a reservoir in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: File photo
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched a search for Gambusia (mosquito fish) in different parts of South India to scientifically address the mosquito menace in the city.
Gambusia is a 6 cm (female) and 3.5–4 cm (male) fish that can eat up to 100 mosquito larvae in a day. Adding large numbers of Gambusia to water bodies is an eco-friendly method of mosquito control. It is more effective than the indoor process of fogging with malathion and spraying homes with pyrethrum.
This is in addition to other regular measures like anti-larvae operation, fogging, distribution of mosquito nets, Friday-dry days and overhead tank cleaning activities by the public health department of GVMC.
The GVMC has approached the Department of Fisheries in Visakhapatnam to arrange for around 20 lakh fish required for the city’s 2,693 water bodies. The fisheries department has started contacting fish processing units in different parts of the southern states. In Badampudi village of Unguturu mandal in West Godavari district, fish suppliers have come forward to send 60,000 fish to the city in two days. The department is tying up with sources in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other places to procure the remaining 19.4 lakh fish.
confirming that HinduGVMC chief medical officer Naresh Kumar said, “Actually only two lakh Gambusia fish are needed to eliminate mosquito larvae in our 2,693 water bodies such as ponds, wells and reservoirs. But, we decided to collect 20 lakh fish to control mosquitoes effectively.
Dengue cases on the rise
Presently, as the number of dengue cases is on the rise, mosquito control is an essential task of the authorities including the GVMC.
Dr. Naresh Kumar said that till July 10 this year, a total of 372 dengue and 44 malaria cases have been reported under GVMC consisting of 98 wards.
Visakhapatnam District Malaria Officer M. Tulsi said that till July 8, a total of 428 dengue cases and 50 malaria cases have been reported in Visakhapatnam district since January 1. He told that a total of 386 cases were reported till this time last year.
Ms Tulsi said, “Though the number of dengue fever cases is higher than malaria, about 99% of them are observed in the normal range, which means hospitalization is not required.”
Most of the dengue cases are cured at home with simple medicines like paracetamol. However, if a severe case emerges, the government has set up a special ward exclusively for dengue at KGH for treatment.