Pesticide spraying campaign launched in Kailali to control malaria and kala-azar

Tikapur: A pesticide spraying campaign has been launched in Kailali to control malaria, kala-azar and other insect-borne diseases. Authorities plan to spray pesticides in hundreds of houses across the district as part of the initiative.

The campaign, which began in Dhangadhi, has already completed spraying in houses and surrounding areas where malaria and kala-azar patients were identified in Tikapur. According to Min Bahadur Dhami, Information Officer at the Health Office, pesticide spraying was carried out in nine houses in Tikapur where malaria cases were reported, with the support of technicians.

“The Health Office Kailali has initiated this campaign to control malaria, kala-azar and other insect-borne diseases. The program is being conducted in affected and potential epidemic areas,” Dhami said. He added that spraying has been carried out around locations where cases have been reported since Shrawan of the current fiscal year.

According to the Health Office, a total of 104 malaria and kala-azar cases have been identified in Kailali, and pesticide spraying is planned in hundreds of households.

The government has set targets to eliminate kala-azar by 2028 and malaria by 2030. To support this goal, health institutions have prioritized expanding testing, identifying cases, verifying data, treating patients, implementing case-based surveillance and carrying out reactive interventions.

Sushila BK, a women’s health volunteer, emphasized the need to expand pesticide spraying beyond affected households to entire communities, citing the heightened risk of malaria in poorer areas.