Malaria Danger In Fiji
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, June 20.
THE danger of introducing into Fiji the Anopheles (malaria-carrying) mos quito has again been urgently stressed, this time by Mr. M. Laird, MSc, a New Zealand University Research Fellow and advisory entomologist to the RNZAF, who is now conducting research in the Colony.
In a broadcast at Suva on June 17, Mr. Laird said that the sea barriers be tween the New Hebrides and malaria free Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zea land had so far prevented the spread of Anopheles but there was every chance that fast, modern aircraft would provide transport for the mosquitoes.
After outlining experiments in the transportation of caged mosquitoes in planes flying from Japan to New Zealand and tests conducted for the RNZAF in the South Pacific, Mr. Laird emphasised the importance of mosquito-breeding con trol near airports and the insecticidal spraying of all incoming aircraft.
Two officers and eighty non-commis sioned officers of the New Zealand Regular Forces will shortly go to Fiji as part of the training unit which New Zealand has undertaken to supply for the Fiji Defence Force. The unit will eventually consist of eight officers and 23 other ranks.