Question

For the prevention and control of malaria, the most important measure is

• A. Introducing Gambusia fish in ponds
• B. Doors and window should be provided with wire mesh
• C. Control or eliminate the vectors and their breeding places
• D. Spraying of insecticides in ditches, drainage areas and swamps

Answer 1

The correct option is C Control or eliminate the vectors and their breeding places

Malaria is a protozoan disease caused by Plasmodium sp. and is spread from one person to another through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito which carries the pathogen and serves as a vector. Both humans and mosquitoes serve as hosts to complete the life cycle of the Plasmodium sp. pathogen.

The mosquitoes that are responsible for the spread of malaria lay their eggs and breed on stagnant water bodies such as open drains, ditches, swamps, etc.

Prevention and control of malaria:-

The most important step towards the prevention and control of malaria is to eliminate the vector, i.e, the female Anopheles mosquito, and its breeding places. This can be achieved by -

• Spraying of insecticides in stagnant water bodies such as ditches, drainage areas and swamps to kill the mosquitoes, their eggs and the larvae.
• Introducing Gambusia fish in ponds such that they feed on the mosquito larvae.
• Filling up ditches and potholes to avoid stagnation of water.
• Last but not the least, we can protect ourselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, wire meshes on doors and windows, using a mosquito net on the bed, etc.