Fumigation on Galapagos Flights to Begin
IGTOA Members should inform their travelers that Aerogal and Tame Airlines will soon begin fumigating passenger cabins prior to takeoff, with passengers on board.
The new fumigation, or “disinsection,” program will be done to combat the imminent and growing threat of mosquito born diseases, such as West Nile Virus and Avian Malaria, that could decimate wildlife populations in the Galapagos Islands (See IGTOA’s report in our Nov-Dec newsletter)
According to Godfrey Merlen of WildAid, who thankfully spearheaded this project, “The issue is whether or not we make the greatest effort to reduce to near nil the possibilities of disease bearing vectors arriving in the islands. At the present time there is no alternative to this practice. As we have seen in the past, insects keep arriving, including mosquito vectors of dangerous diseases for humans and animals.” He said he is working with PSA, a French company with thirty years’ experience, to import the chemicals, which have already left France.
Prior to takeoff, two airline personnel will make one pass down the aircraft cabin, spraying canisters above head height. This is a technique that has been widely used in flights to Australia and New Zealand. The chemicals, d-Phenothrin and Permethrin, are approved by the World Health Organization for use in aircraft.
Godfrey Merlen says that the Galapagos National Park and Sesa Sicgal (the authority charged with protecting Galapagos against invasive species) are solidly behind the new effort. Both Aerogal and Tame support this program. Aerogal, an IGTOA member, has helped with importing chemicals. Icaro Airlines is being asked to participate as well. But it is expected that a Presidential decree on fumigation to be forthcoming.
IGTOA has supported disinsection measures from the time we learned about the threats of West Nile Virus and other insect born diseases.
We can probably expect complaints from travelers. But we can help by explaining why it is being done - quite simply, to save Galapagos from a catastrophic invasion by insect-born viruses and parasites.
To learn more about aircraft disinsection, see the WHO site