DOH advises public to remove dengue mosquito breeding grounds
June 1, 2010 8:35 pm
MANILA, June 2 – The Department of Health (DOH) has advised the public to remove stagnant water in uncovered containers to prevent mosquitoes from breeding on them as dengue cases are again on the rise this season.
Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, DOH Dengue Control Program manager, said dengue cases will worsen this rainy season as records show that some 14,000 cases nationwide were recorded from January to April this year compared to the 9,000 cases recorded on the same period last year.
Leesuy said with the onset of rains starting this month, they are expecting that cases all over the country will increase further.
The DOH warned that rains may provide breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
With the warning, Leesuy urged the public to take notice of vacant lots because these could also spark dengue outbreak. Dengue cases tend to rise during rainy days because of the build-up of clean and stagnant waters where mosquitoes breed.
He also urged residents to keep their surroundings dry and clean, including plants whose leaves may catch and store water.
"Even plants can hold water, so this may increase the number of breeding sites for mosquitoes," he said.
The mosquito vector, aedes aegypti, breeds only in clean and stagnant water collected in empty bottles, old tires, cans, other containers and even in bottle caps and leaf axils.
The DOH anti-dengue campaign involves more preventive measures, including information dissemination to heighten the consciousness of the public on the simplicity of the preventive efforts. Emphasis should be on depriving the mosquito vector of possible breeding sites through cleanliness. (PNA) LAP/FMB
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