Association of Poultry Farms with Housefly and Morbidity: A Comparative Study from Raipur Rani, Haryana

BACKGROUND: Large poultry belt is located in the residential areas of rural Haryana in North India. Housefly problem has become a big nuisance in this area. Policy makers require evidence of the association of poultry farming with houseflies and its possible impact on the health of the population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Across-sectional two-group comparison study was conducted. Six villages within 3 km and another six villages beyond 5 km from any poultry farms were selected as the study and the control villages, respectively. We measured indoor and outdoor housefly density and family morbidity in the last 1 month and observed the poultry hygiene and manure management practices. FINDINGS: The mean fly density was 1737 (95% CI 697-2778) houseflies in study villages compared to 100 (95% CI 2-197) houseflies in the control area. The mean all-cause morbidity was also significantly higher in study village families compared to control village families. Poultry farm hygiene and use of insecticides and growth regulators were inadequate. INTERPRETATION: Poultry farms are associated strongly with high fly density and high infectious morbidity in this area.Monitoring and regulation for poultry manure management practices and insecticide use practices need to be strengthened.