Fighting the winged menace

``MALARIA IS caused by mosquito bites. Anopheles mosquitoes, which carry the malarial parasite, breeds in fresh water. So, we should keep our overhead tanks and wells covered and not allow water to stagnate anywhere....''

The students were patiently listening to the project worker's presentation. They were from Joshua Matriculation School, Mogappair, brought to the Malaria Research Centre (MRC) where a week-long exhibition on various aspects of malaria was opened as part of Anti-Malaria Month programme.

About 10 schools in the neighbouring areas confirmed participation at the exhibition which would go on till June 30. The students were from Classes VI to IX.

Malaria is a dreaded infection, and Chennai is particularly vulnerable to the parasite. The expo highlights this situation to the students. A chart outlines the life cycle of the mosquito and some live specimens are on show. The silent scourge, Plasmodium falciparum, is the parasite, which strikes terror in certain urban areas.

So what can be done about Malaria ? The message to the students is, ``use mosquito nets impregnated with chemicals''. Though repellents such as coils, mats and creams, are effective, a survey by the MRC shows that more than 60 per cent of the population is allergic to them.

A Geographical Information System based on malaria surveillance in Dindigul, is being implemented in the malaria control programme in the country, details of which are posted on the Internet, at www.malaria- tn.org, Mr. Alex Eappan, Officer in Charge, MRC, said.

Interestingly, the exhibition lays bare through photographs of breeding sources, the havoc created by negligence of various Government departments.

The potential breeding spots photographed are tar drums left open before or after road works, construction sites of MRTS, sewage treatment plants of Metrowater, cemeteries, storm water drains without proper gradient or cover, and trenches created during digging by Chennai Telephones.

Fish and predator bugs which feed on mosquito larvae were also displayed. These apart, a model of a mosquito-proof house also finds a place alongside another which is exposed to mosquito attacks.

It is a comprehensive tour for the school children who, at the end, go home with some dread of mosquitoes and malaria, and quite sure that they can do something about it at home.

By Saptarshi Bhattacharya

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