House fly: a dangerous vector
M. Jahangir Alam, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
Everyone is familiar with house flies in Bangladesh. Recent research has demonstrated the epidemiological potential of house flies to disseminate microorganism (bacteria, viruses, and parasites), that causes various diseases, greater than initially suspected. The house fly (scientific name: Musca domestica) is a well-known cosmopolitan pest of both farm and home. The house fly exploits bad hygiene practices. House fly, besides being a nuisance, is a prime carrier of disease. Its entire body swarms with millions of microorganism which are often transmitted to the food we eat. More than 100 different pathogens associated with the house fly may cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid, cholera, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia and infantile diarrhoea, as well as parasitic worms. Pathogenic microorganisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts and other body parts, through their vomitus and contaminated external body parts to human and animal food. Flies multiply at an enormous rate. Warm summer conditions are generally optimum for the development of the house fly, and it can complete its life cycle in as little as seven to ten days, and as many as 10 to 12 generations may occur in one summer. Adults usually live 15 to 25 days. Favourite breeding sites are dung heaps, exposed human faeces, all sorts of droppings, rotting garbage, and carrion. The effective house fly dispersal range appears to be ½ to 2 miles, but distances as great as 10 to 20 miles have been reported. In more developed countries, modern sewage systems, refuse removal, and general cleanliness have had a marked effect in controlling the insect's numbers. Good sanitation is the basic step in fly management. Food and materials on which the flies can lay their eggs must be removed, destroyed as a breeding medium, or isolated from the egg-laying adult. Since the house fly can complete its life cycle in as little as seven days, removal of wet manure at least twice a week is necessary to break the breeding cycle. Locate and eliminate all possible breeding sites. Move all trash receptacles as far from house as possible.Dispose of all moist garbage, rotting vegetation and animal faeces in bags; dispose of bags in proper receptacle. Keep all dumpsters and garbage containers clean and dry; all dumpsters need tight fitting lids and should be emptied in a timely manner. Seal all possible entry points to exclude flying pests from homes and businesses. House fly control will significantly reduce disease prevalence in the community.
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