Mosquito and Cockroach allergies: Krishna and Godavari districts (India) are faced with spurt in mosquito and cockroach allergies

By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad: It is now mosquito and cockroach allergy in parts of
Andhra Pradesh. After spreading life-threatening diseases like dengue
and various forms of malaria, mosquitoes are causing severe allergic
reactions.

Research studies in East and West Godavari and Krishna districts show
a spurt in mosquito allergy with people reporting blistering rashes
and large areas of swelling after mosquito bite.

Mosquito bite generally causes simple itchy red bump but in some
people, it causes severe allergic reaction that require medical
attention. Mosquito allergy is more among people in Krishna region
thanks to the presence of vast stretches of stagnant water. Cockroach
allergy was found in the Godavari districts.

A team of doctors from the department of pulmonology, Katuri Medical
College and Hospital, Guntur, presented the research study at international
scientific conference of the World Allergy Organisation here.
The study carried out in the three important coastal districts known
for their agricultural richness, revealed that chilli and tobacco crops, stone
quarries and paper manufacture units are responsible for allergic reactions.

“Paper dust allergy is more in Godavari districts as compared to
Krishna due to high prevalence of paper mills in the Godavari belt.
Pollen allergy is high prevalent in these regions, while mosquito
allergy is more in Krishna region,” the researchers pointed out. The
team comprised G Hari Kishan, Bhanu Naik Bhukya and Parankusam
Prabhakar Rao.

The team conducted research on about 100 patients for a number of
allergens. The skin prick test for allergy was positive in 80 people
for at least one antigen. Allergic rhinitis was confirmed in 30
patients, bronchial asthma in 21 patients, rhinitis in combination
with bronchial asthma in 11 patients and 20 patients had no history of
either asthma or rhinitis.

The study revealed that among insects, mosquito allergy was
predominant in Krishna region while cockroach allergy was more in
Godavari district. Among dust, paper dust allergy (57 per cent) is
more in Godavari while grain dust was more in Krishna region.