Now that the rainy season is here, the Nairobi flies are back

By Kikonyogo NgatyaNAIROBI flies have invaded some parts of Mbarara and Rakai districts and the flies are likely to increase because of the ongoing rainy season. This was said by Dr Ambrose Onapa, the principal entomologist, Ministry of Health.He said Mbarara had reported a major outbreak and insecticides had been sent to the two districts to control the flies by spraying. Benard Agwang, the Mbarara district vector control officer, said that there was an outbreak of the flies in Kanyaryeru areas. Pupils of Kanyaryeru Primary School and students of Lake Mburo Secondary School were the most affected.“The flies are always around in our environment. But they normally hatch in heaps of rotting vegetation when the rains begin,” Onapa said.He said the public should be on the look out and report to their nearest health authority so that they are brought under control. The insects are called Nairobi flies because it is there when they were first detected in big numbers years ago, he said.“Though they are called flies, they are actually beetles, he said. They flies are dark green and red, and have four wings. Onapa warned people about crashing the beetles on their skin. “When squashed on the skin, the fluid has a burning sensation and is very painful when it enters the eye,” he said. Makerere University and other places in Kampala city have in the past experienced outbreaks of the flies. The beetles do not bite nor spread diseases. The only problem is its fluids getting into contact with the body,” he said. The fluid leaves ugly sores on the skin. So Onapa advised people in affected areas to put on long clothes to avoid contact with the beetles. The beetles, he said, are easily attracted to light.People who undergo a burning sensation, are urged to wash the affected part with soap and water.Ends