There is no ban on the sale of mosquito coils according to William Sataua, Manager of Air and Land Division, American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency.
But there’s a shortage of mosquito coils on island and several residents are finding other means of repelling disease bearing mosquitoes.
Sataua explained ASEPA has been cracking down on mosquito coils that dont have an USEPA registered number, but as far as a ban, there’s none.
With the comeback of dengue fever residents are concerned that mosquito coils appear to be in short supply.
According to some, they have been looking for mosquito everywhere but could not find any.
For west side shoppers, the only store selling mosquito coils is FJ & P Kruse in Leone.
Some residents say they have bought spray but find they are not as effective as mosquito coils.
Some are using the OFF spray and other repellents such as Mortein and Raid but they complain the sprays are more expensive than the mosquito coils.
Some are using mosquito nets but say with the hot weather we’ve been having it’s uncomfortable using a net.
Using advice of the breadfruit researchers, KHJ News has tried the dried breadfruit fruit (fuge) and found it to an effective repellent, however they dont lasmosquito coils.
One has to collect a whole lot to last for whatever time its needed.
To combat the latest dengue fever cases, the Department of Health with partners, has launched a clean up campaign in the villages of Vatia and Afono where the new cases are reported.
Chief Compliance Officer at DOH Papalii Marion Fitisemanu asks that everyone chip in to get rid of breeding places for mosquitoes.
