Were Rwandans prepared for the mass fumigation?

I have been away for some time and when I came back I happened to meet people covered head to toe. When I asked, I was told they are carrying out a massive mosquito spray around Kigali.

Friday, August 24, 2007

I have been away for some time and when I came back I happened to meet people covered head to toe. When I asked, I was told they are carrying out a massive mosquito spray around Kigali.

This sounds good and in fact we may even get a chance of having other house hold insects like cockroaches, houseflies etc dieing in the due course.

However my worry is that many people do not seem ready for the exercise.

Some say that the chemical used is toxic, which may be true since those carrying out the exercise are supposed to be covered. Who would wish to risk his and the rest of the family’s health in the name of a massive spray exercise?

Another factor is that some people are allergic to different fumes and substances, what if that particular chemical is among their worries?

There is also a problem of having all the house hold belongings thrown outside yet in many homes there are maids and sometimes no one at all left behind during day time, what will be do in that instance?

I would suggest for more sensitisation to be carried out to clear such worries otherwise the fumigated insects will run to the neighbour’s house that did not spray and in no time the problem will re-occur.

Maliza Donnah
Kimihurura