Demand for mosquito repellents, insecticides up by 45-50%: Survey

The demand for mosquito repellents and insecticides has sharply increased by 45-50 percent in the last few weeks due to fast rising cases of dengue and chikungunya, an Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham) quick survey said on Thursday.

According to the survey, the sale of these products is likely to further shoot up over health concerns arising out of water-logging and lack of adequate sanitation in major cities, more so in the north including the national capital region.

The survey done by field research showed the maximum rise in sale of mosquito repellents was noticed in Delhi, followed by other northern cities.

Anti-mosquito sprays, coils, liquid electric machines, mats, agarbattis and creams are in great demand, the survey added.

"There is a high demand for all types of insecticides. The sale of coils and mats has more than doubled and there is a significant increase in sale of mosquito repellent creams such as Odomos," the survey said, according to a statement.

"It is a pity that the sanitation standards as also the drainage system are so inadequate that year after year, the problem of preventable diseases is only increasing," D. S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Rawat said the local bodies, state governments and the centre should tackle this problem in a well coordinated manner to mitigate the effects.

"Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya have been multiplying in various parts of the country at an alarming rate," the survey said.

"Due to increased awareness regarding vector borne disease, the demand for mosquito repellent products like coils, strips, liquid vaporisers, etc. is rising more than before, thereby providing high momentum to the Indian mosquito repellent market," it added.

--IANS

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