Tamulpur (Assam), 20 August (HS): To curb malaria, 500 Gambusia fish have been released into reservoirs in Tamulpur by the district administration with the support of the health and family welfare department. These fish are known for feeding on mosquito larvae, thus helping in vector control.
According to the Tamulpur district administration, an outbreak of malaria in May this year in the Lehbra-Shantipur area along the India-Bhutan border led to one death and 24 positive cases. However, officials said that due to continuous efforts of the malaria department, the situation is now under control.
The department has been conducting awareness meetings, distributing medicated mosquito nets, carrying out health check-ups, door-to-door surveys and educating villagers on malaria symptoms, treatment and prevention. Alongside, cleaning and anti-mosquito drives have also been intensified.
Recently, Gambusia fish fry were released in waterlogged areas of Letera reservoirs to prevent mosquito breeding. On Tuesday, malaria inspector Gopal Mali, MPW Pranjit Bodo and inspector Mohan Bodo carried out the release of Gambusia fish near Barhaigaon, Boronagar and the district commissioner’s office to destroy mosquito larvae, including Anopheles and Japanese Encephalitis vectors.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
