In Context
- Around 100 students of an engineering college in East Sikkim have reported skin infections after coming in contact with Nairobi flies.
Image Courtesy:IE
About Nairobi flies
- A species of insect native to East Africa and also called Kenyan flies or dragon bugs.
- They are small, beetle-like insects that belong to two species
- Paederus eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
- They are orange and black in colour, and thrive in areas with high rainfall.
- Like most insects, the beetles are attracted by bright light.
- Effect on Human
- Usually ,it attacks pests that consume crops and are beneficial for humans but at times, they come in contact with humans directly and cause harm.
- These flies do not bite, but if disturbed while sitting on anyone’s skin, they release a potent acidic substance that causes burns.
- This substance is called pederin, and can cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin, leading to lesions or unusual marks or colouring on the skin.
- These flies do not bite, but if disturbed while sitting on anyone’s skin, they release a potent acidic substance that causes burns.
- Usually ,it attacks pests that consume crops and are beneficial for humans but at times, they come in contact with humans directly and cause harm.
- Major outbreaks
- They have happened in Kenya and other parts of eastern Africa.
- Outside Africa, outbreaks have happened in India, Japan, Israel, and Paraguay in the past.
- Measures
- Sleeping under mosquito nets can help. If a fly lands on a person, it should be gently brushed off, and should not be disturbed or touched to reduce the chances of it releasing pederin.
Source:IE
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