“Culex or Common House Mosquitoes” Reappears in Delhi

What is the News?

With the change in season and rise in temperature, culex or common house mosquitoes have made a reappearance across Delhi.

About Culex or Common House Mosquitoes:

• Culex is a genus of mosquitoes. They are carriers of some serious diseases. They can fly up to a distance of 1-1.5 km.
• Diseases: Culex mosquitoes serve as a vector of one or more serious diseases. Such as the West Nile virus, Japanese Encephalitis or St. Louis encephalitis, Cat Que Virus (CQV), filariasis and avian malaria.
• Presence of Culex Mosquitoes: They are present in hot and humid regions throughout the globe. They are not found in extreme northern latitudes.
• Ideal Temperature: The ideal condition for Culex mosquitoes to breed is between 10 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius.
• Breeding Ground: They breed in dirty, stagnant water and preferred oviposition habitats. Like rainwater barrels, catch basins, and septic tanks are rich in organic material.
  Oviposition: It is the method of expulsion of the egg from the oviduct to the external environment

How is the Government responding? The Government has taken several initiatives to control Culex Mosquitoes such as:

• Firstly, Putting mosquito larvicidal oil-coated blocks in the breeding grounds. This will create a layer that the mosquitoes cannot evade.
• Secondly, Underground Insecticide fogging is also an another method to paralyse the mosquitoes.
• Thirdly, Sprays and medicines. They are being put inside the drains as a preventive measure.
• Fourthly, Visiting homes to inspect coolers, tanks surroundings. This helps in removing stagnant water or other favourable breeding ground in their surroundings.

Source: Indian Express

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