Question: When I was growing up in Kailua, mosquito-fogging trucks were dispatched each summer evening to kill mosquitoes. I am pretty sure this occurred throughout the island, and it worked, as far as I know. Why isn’t the state Department of Health doing that now, when we have one type of mosquito with the potential to spread three dangerous diseases (dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya)? Instructing individuals to eliminate mosquitoes on their own properties doesn’t seem like it would be as effective as an overall public health response.

Answer: Keeping mosquitoes from breeding in the first place is the best way to halt the spread of the dangerous diseases you mention, and accomplishing that requires individuals to take personal responsibility for their properties and remove the standing water in which the insects multiply, according to the Health Department.

The department has directed crews to kill adult mosquitoes during the dengue fever outbreak on the island of Hawaii over the past several months, but prefers a targeted application of pesticides to safeguard public health and the environment. That said, it is prepared to dispatch widespread foggers if the need arises.

Here is the department’s full response to your query, from Anna P. Koethe, public health information coordinator:

“The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is guided by a precautionary approach to adult mosquito management, which tries to strike a balance and address both environmental and public health concerns. Spraying pesticides is a temporary method used to reduce the adult mosquito population. Treatment decreases the potential risk of being bitten by a mosquito and will hopefully help to eliminate any infectious mosquitoes in the area. Pesticides are best used as a short-term, urgent response to particular mosquito population problems.

“In our current situation, targeted or directed application is preferable to the use of wide-area application, such as truck-mounted foggers. A targeted strategy ensures that treatments reach only the intended areas while minimizing the risk to public health. It is often more effective at reducing the mosquitoes within the areas it is used when compared to truck-mounted foggers, which provide indiscriminate area coverage that could negatively impact wildlife, such as aquatic life.

“DOH continually assesses its approaches and strategies to ensure they are appropriate to the situation, and is, in fact, prepared to respond with truck-mounted foggers should the need for a larger-scale strategy arise. If such an approach becomes necessary, then careful, responsible and strategic application methods will be utilized to ensure public safety and minimize negative environmental impacts.

“The safest, simplest, and most cost-effective method of mosquito control is proactively taking personal precautions at home and in the workplace by removing standing water, which can foster mosquito breeding areas. All people, especially those who may be infectious, should reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes by staying indoors or wearing proper clothing and repellent when outdoors. As other mosquito borne diseases, such as Zika and chikungunya, pose a growing threat to our state, these activities need to become routine habits for all our residents and visitors to Hawaii.”

Lanikai traffic

The city government wants community input about a plan to change the traffic flow around the Kalapawai Triangle as a way to relieve traffic jams near Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai. There will be a public meeting about the proposed project, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kailua District Park’s Community Recreation Center.

Mahalo

Thank you to the kind lady who helped me with my grocery bill at Times Royal Kunia on the morning of April 2. I had forgotten my wallet at home (no charge card, no driver’s license, too) and was short of cash. She came up with the balance to cover my purchase. In the heat of the embarrassing state I was in, my brain went blank. I didn’t get her name, nor did I offer to reimburse her. — Grateful shopper

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.