Adopt broad-based approach to jiggers
EDITOR—On April 21, you published an article about the infestation of jiggers as a health challenge in Uganda (and Kenya)! Such a scenario in the 21st century is a reflection of the long distance we are yet to cover to attain significant health improvement as specified in the global Millennium Dev
EDITOR—On April 21, you published an article about the infestation of jiggers as a health challenge in Uganda (and Kenya)! Such a scenario in the 21st century is a reflection of the long distance we are yet to cover to attain significant health improvement as specified in the global Millennium Development Goal for the health sector.
It is sad that this problem seems to be popping up once every couple of years, and it is high time solutions were sought. Jiggers and lice are human parasites associated with poverty and unhygienic living conditions.
Thus a broad-based approach to eradicate them should be adopted.
One important and effective control measure, besides those mentioned in the article, is the use of dust insecticides like Doom. The insecticide can be sprinkled lightly on the house floor, especially targeting at the corners of the room.
Adult fleas move from one place to another by jumping, thus are usually found within the human habitat.
Adult males suck the blood from the outside, while the females burrow into the human flesh and engorge themselves with thousands of eggs.
The dust insecticides are available in ready-to-use packages and the fleas are very susceptible to the powder. Since the dust power of insecticides persist for several weeks, the pest numbers would decline over time.
Also, a strong solution of ordinary salt when applied at the jigger-infested feet (or lice-infested head, body, cloth), causes the dehydration and death of the pests. Most of the dust formulated pesticides have low toxicity to humans, but require careful handling. Some reasonable price tag could be attached to this cause if the livelihood status of our people is to be elevated.
Dr. Benson Odongo
Entomologist, Nairobi
It is sad that this problem seems to be popping up once every couple of years, and it is high time solutions were sought. Jiggers and lice are human parasites associated with poverty and unhygienic living conditions.
Thus a broad-based approach to eradicate them should be adopted.
One important and effective control measure, besides those mentioned in the article, is the use of dust insecticides like Doom. The insecticide can be sprinkled lightly on the house floor, especially targeting at the corners of the room.
Adult fleas move from one place to another by jumping, thus are usually found within the human habitat.
Adult males suck the blood from the outside, while the females burrow into the human flesh and engorge themselves with thousands of eggs.
The dust insecticides are available in ready-to-use packages and the fleas are very susceptible to the powder. Since the dust power of insecticides persist for several weeks, the pest numbers would decline over time.
Also, a strong solution of ordinary salt when applied at the jigger-infested feet (or lice-infested head, body, cloth), causes the dehydration and death of the pests. Most of the dust formulated pesticides have low toxicity to humans, but require careful handling. Some reasonable price tag could be attached to this cause if the livelihood status of our people is to be elevated.
Dr. Benson Odongo
Entomologist, Nairobi