| Fly Control In Hospitals There are very few places
where flies are less welcome than in a hospital. But, nevertheless, it is a setting which
holds numerous attractions for them, such as the presence of human food, moisture, various
forms of organic material etc..
Although sanitation measures which inhibit their breeding are likely to be more
stringent than average, the amount of human traffic in and out of such an institution
makes complete exclusion of the highly mobile adult flies extremely difficult. And that
adult population visits a wide variety of not-so-well sanitized sites before entering the
hospital. Therein lies the problem. Because it has been proven that flies can transport
large numbers of pathogens both on and inside their bodies. And their peculiar feeding
habits - regurgitation to disperse enzymes to liquefy their food as well as frequent
defecation - are particularly worrisome given the pathogens they harbor internally.
For instance, the USDA states that “The house fly....can mechanically vector
several pathogens, including: Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio comma(cholera), Treponema
pertenue (yaws), and amebic dysentery.”
A Texas A&M University study makes the case that:“..the fly's ability to carry
disease agents makes it a constant threat to milk production and animal and human heath..
Virus diseases that flies can carry..parainfluenza serotype 3 (PI3). Bacterial diseases
flies can carry include pink eye, mastitis, bacterial scours, typhoid, anthrax, vibriosis,
and several clostridial diseases. Flies also can transport eggs and infectious larvae of
several important parasitic worms. ..Flies redeposit disease agents with each time that
they defecate, feed or vomit. House flies have shown the ability to harbor more than 100
different species of pathogenic organisms. Studies also have incriminated flies in more
than 65 human and animal diseases.”
These are not comforting facts in circumstances where large numbers of
immuno-compromised individuals are present. And since a hospital by its very nature will
contain a large variety of disease micro-organisms, the fly’s unique mobility and
consequent potential for cross-contamination are especially alarming.
If a fly should gain entry to an operating room, it will invariably be attracted to the
most critical area, namely, the incision - both by the blood and the intensity of the
lighting. The presence of one errant fly in a surgical suite is sufficient grounds for
shutting it down - an indication of the respect that the medical profession has for the
disease risks associated with flies.
It should be clear that in addition to vigorous sanitation and exclusion measures
designed to limit the number which gain access, intercepting the residual population of
adult flies is imperative in hospital environments. But the space-sprays commonly used in
some other settings are not suitable in the presence of individuals who are more sensitive
than average to the toxicity of these chemicals, or who may have allergic reactions to
them.
The most viable solution to this dilemma is the insect light trap (ILT), which
introduces no chemical hazards to the environment and provides a continuous source of
control. Typically, large electrocuting models are used in combination with alcoves,
vestibules, and air curtains at access points out of public view such as service
entrances, receiving docks, doors opposite dumpsters etc.. ILTs using glueboards for
silent capture are more appropriate for customer entrances and along all principal access
routes used by the public. Smaller decoratively designed versions of this type are
frequently used for aesthetic reasons to intercept stragglers in areas where atmosphere is
important, including all along the corridor leading to the surgery, and directly over the
door.
If strategically placed - giving consideration to competing light sources, main access
routes, and the relative risks in particular areas - ILTs can greatly reduce the potential
for disease transmission by flies in the uniquely challenging environment of a hospital. |
