Dengue mosquitoes, sprays, both are Killing us!

Issuing a warning against their excessive use to control dengue, Environment Protection Department (EPD) has said chemical sprays are causing biodiversity loss. Showing an acute concern, Environment Protection Department Secretary Saeed Wahlah revealed that EPD did not recommend the use of chemicals as a solution in the current scenario rather an integrated approach of using chemical, employing biological control measure and above all taking environmental control into consideration would bear positive outcomes without jeopardising human health or their environment. “The EPD, though, is taking initiative to control dengue but the impact of efforts could be increased manifolds if the government decides to rope in other departments as well,” the secretary laid bare the facts in an important meeting held under his chairmanship at the Environment Protection Department, Gaddaffi Stadium to discuss the methods of controlling dengue. All the senior level staff of EPA was present at the meeting for sharing ideas and information regarding the current efforts made to eradicate dengue. Dr Aramis Martinez Arias, a Vector Borne Disease Consultant at Labiofam and Programme coordinator at Zambian National Larviciding, Cuba, along with two members were present as the guest of honour.
Secretary environment made introductory remarks on the current situation of dengue and its control measures that the EPD had been undertaking on the direction of Punjab chief minister since its first outbreak in the province. Dengue took the entire province of Punjab into its grip with its outbreak in 2011. The outburst was sudden and government of Punjab had to deal with the situation robustly on war footing basis. It was identified that dengue causing mosquitoes were greatly subjected to weather patterns. With the seasonal changes in weather pattern and arrival of winter cases of dengue subdued but it was feared that with the arrival of spring, dengue causing mosquitoes would return to action. Environment Secretary Saeed Wahlah has planned special activities to combat the epidemic of dengue. Dr Aramis Martinez Arias, the Cuban Expert on Bio-Larvicides delivered a presentation/lecture on the significance of Bio-Larvicides and shared his experience of work on dengue control from the dengue-affected countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, various African countries and South American countries. During his presentation he emphasised the use of Bio-Larvicides for dengue control due to the beneficial outcomes of this technique. According to him, bio-larvicides use Bacillus Thurengiensis var Idraelensis (Bti) as the primary control method wherein the Bti feeds on the vector mosquitoes hence reducing their effectiveness as a carrier of dengue virus. Research over the year has proved it that bio-larvicides are very useful technique in controlling vector borne disease.
Bio-larvicides is a technique where the extracts from plant leaves, its oil or strains of bacteria with no harmful effects on environment and human health are used as a mean to eradicate pests and vectors.Dr Arias said the research had proved that many strains of bacillus useful against different species of mosquitoes and found them environmentally friendly. One of the potent forms of bacterium is Bacillus Thurengiensis var Idraelensis (Bti) H-14 which is effective against all mosquitos’ genera. Bti have an advantage over other forms of dengue control except the environment control of dengue. Bti are environment friendly with little or no effect on humans, wildlife, pollinators and most other beneficial species.Popular forms of Bti formulation that were mentioned during the presentation were Vectobac, G & WDG and Bectovec. He also offered cooperation in the cause from the Cuban Larviciding through knowledge transfer and technology transfer. A question and answer round between the participants followed the presentation where in the participants discussed the problems that they confront during implementation of dengue measures as well as concerns were raised and settled on the use of bio-larvicides in Pakistan. Wahlah briefed Dr Arias on the efforts that EPD has undertaken for dengue control. According to him special squads headed by the deputy directors of Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab had been established to chalk out dengue control and management plan. These squads are fully equipped with technical and human expertise. They conduct routine visits of to identify potential breeding sites of dengue vector. Though the visits are frequent in populated cities of Punjab like Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, however, other parts of the province are given equal emphasis as well. Teams of the squad members operating at district Level, ensure daily visits to their respective regions for breeding site identification. The EPD, Punjab had arranged special seminars on the causes and prevention methods of dengue for general public awareness. Wahlah highlighted the fact that the leading responsibilities for dengue control efforts reside with the Health Department of the government of the Punjab and Environment Protection Department operates to support the Health Department on this cause. Nonetheless, the EPD, Punjab always extends any sort of expertise regarding the application know-how of dengue control measures to the Health Department.Secretary environment mentioned that EPD did not recommend the use of chemicals as a solution in the current scenario rather an integrated approach of using chemical, adding that uncontrolled use of chemicals to control dengue has led to biodiversity loss in many cases.