Tilapia fish being used to eliminate dengue larvae

Punjab Aquaculture stocked over 1.4 million juvenile Tilapia fish around the province to eradicate dengue mosquitoes and larvae. 25,000 dengue-eating fish were released into ponds and lakes in various parts of Lahore city.

According to Director Aquaculture Fisheries and in-charge Punjab dengue cell Dr Muhammad Abad, over 714,000 Tilapia fish have been released in 463 ponds and lakes across Punjab to control and destroy the dengue mosquito larvae. Additionally, guidelines have been provided to effectively stock fish.

There are two approaches—one chemical and the other biological—for eliminating mosquitoes and their larvae, Abad claimed. The water is analyzed before the fish are released into the water. Tilapia fish farming is a cheap substitute for the use of expensive chemicals and a cost-effective and safe way to prevent the spread of dengue. Around 25,150 fish have been released in ponds and lakes at seven different places in Lahore.

Experts claim that "Aedes Aegypti" mosquitoes are the ones that transmit dengue fever throughout the whole world, including Pakistan. This spotted mosquito is found in Pakistan from September to December after the monsoon rains and it can survive in temperatures between 10 and 40 degrees Celsius. Female mosquitoes need to consume blood to produce eggs, thus the bite of a female mosquito transmits dengue in humans. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito prefers clean, stagnant water to reproduce in and most dwellings provide these conditions.

Experts further stated that the most important thing to prevent dengue is to prevent water from accumulating anywhere. Both clean and dirty water can also trigger the spread of the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2023.