Dengue spurs sales in mosquito repellents, launch of new products

NEW DELHI - With nearly 600 people in the national capital testing positive for dengue, the dread surrounding the disease that can be life-threatening, has resulted in a surge in sales of repellents like coils, liquid vapourisers and lotions.

Manufacturers have also launched new products like wet wipes and special oil promising to ward off or kill the disease-bearing insect, which, according to the World Health Organisation, is one of the most dangerous pests in the world.

Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes mosquito and its symptoms include fever, joint and bone pain, nausea, vomiting, headache and fatigue.

Dabur India, manufacturer of mosquito-repellent cream Odomos, reported a strong sales growth of 40 percent of the product in the April-June quarter of this fiscal, as shopkeepers stocked up before the onset of monsoon rains.

“Since monsoon is the peak season for mosquito breeding activity, there is a surge in demand for safe products like Odomos. In the first quarter of the 2010-11 fiscal, Odomos has seen a strong growth of 40 percent,” said Rohit Prakash Gupta, Category Head, Home Care, Dabur.

Jyothy Laboratories, another major maker of mosquito repellents which sells coils under the “Maxo” brand, said it has witnessed a 10 percent rise in sales of the product as against the corresponding period last year.

“Sales have picked up due to scare of mosquito- borne disease. The rise has been 10 percent higher as compared to the same period last year,” said M.P. Ramachandran, chairman and managing director of Jyothy Laboratories.

The same is the story for Mortein coil manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser, according to company chairman and managing director for India Chander Mohan Sethi. “During the rainy season there is an increased incidence of pests at home due to which the sales have risen.”

Jyothy Laboratories has launched mosquito repellent in the form of wet wipes and ointment in select cities. These wet wipes cost Rs.3 a piece and lasts for eight hours while the ointment tube comes for Rs.36.

The company has got an order for 500,000 tubes to be given in the welcome kit to athletes in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Dabur also recently launched a mosquito repellent oil, targeting the rural customers. According to the company, this product will provide better safety to the rural consumers at an affordable price.

“It has been competitively priced so that it becomes affordable for rural consumers, who are most affected by mosquito-borne diseases,” Gupta said.

Reckitt Benckiser recently revamped its portfolio of coils, liquid vaporizers and aerosols under the brand name of Mortein PowerGard for all pest control, including mosquitoes, cockroaches and flies.

Chemists and shopkeepers too reported robust sales in the sale of the mosquito repellents following increasing cases of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

“The sale of mosquito repellent coils and creams has increased by 30 to 40 percent in the last two weeks,” said Pradeep Singh, proprietor of New Delhi Medico at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the city.

“Coils and ointments are attracting a large number of customers,” he added.

Health officials said nearly 600 people have tested positive for dengue so far and the number is increasing.

The civic agencies have released an advisory in the media stating the symptoms of the disease and highlighting preventive measures. The state government has also launched a 12-hour special helpline - 22307145 - which will be operational from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The capital reported 548 cases of dengue in 2007, 1,312 in 2008 and 1,153 in 2009.

(Priyanka Sahay can be reached at priyanka.sahay@ians.in)