Health Department to undertake DDT spray

Dimapur, May 28 (EMN): With reports of several malaria cases in the State, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has announced to carry out Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) spray as a preventive measure. Joint Director and SPO of NVBDCP, Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru said DDT spray operation is one of the most effective measures to prevent spread cause of malaria. While stating that there has been resistance from the public to indoor DDT spray and non-compliance to technical guidelines, he has clarified on the importance of DDT spray. The advantages on DDT spray according to him include: 1. Indoor DDT spray is found to be a very effective method to control mosquito population. Entomological studies show that mosquitoes in Nagaland are susceptible to DDT. IRS is therefore carried out in two rounds every year from mid-March to mid-August, i.e. during malaria transmission season. 2. DDT is the most cost-effective chemical for mass spray. There is no alternative cheap and effective chemical which can be used in a large scale. 3. Indoor DDT spray is safe as long as it is carried out as per standard spray procedures, carried out by trained personnel. 4. Spraying of DDT outside the house is counter-productive. It chases the mosquitoes inside the house. 5. Spraying of DDT outside can be injurious to health. DDT is a ‘hard’ insecticide which is slow to degrade and its residues persist in the soil for several years. As it passes up the food chain, concentration of DDT increases by a process called bio-magnification. 6. The government of India has approved use of DDT only for indoor spraying for disease vector control. Indiscriminate use of DDT for other reasons can amount to violation of The Environment Protection Act 1986, Section 8 which states that “No person shall handle or cause to be handled any hazardous substance except in accordance with such procedure and after complying with such safeguards as may be prescribed.” Dr. Kevichusa further stated that indoor DDT spray not only protects against malaria but also against other mosquito borne diseases such like Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue. He, therefore, called for acceptance and compliance by all for prevention of the disease.