Baguio city: The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) emphasized on Tuesday that combating dengue necessitates a collective effort among residents, as effective cleaning requires everyone's participation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alexander Baday, Entomologist III of the DOH-CAR, highlighted during the 'Kapihan with CARE' event at the agency's training center, that dengue prevention is a communal responsibility. He stressed that while some households may diligently destroy mosquito breeding sites, the inaction of others could still allow mosquitoes to breed and migrate to other areas. Baday reiterated that dengue prevention is a community project, and collective engagement is crucial.
Baday explained that dengue-carrying mosquitoes could travel up to 300 meters from their breeding sites, placing people within that range at risk. As part of Dengue Awareness Month, the DOH-CAR is advocating for a simultaneous clean-up initiative among residents as a preventive strategy. He emphasized that achieving zero dengue deaths begins with zero dengue cases, which in turn starts with eradicating mosquitoes.
The entomologist further clarified that mosquito eggs can survive for about eight months without water and can hatch once they come in contact with water. He advised that containers should be thoroughly brushed to remove mosquito eggs, turned upside down to dry before refilling, and tightly covered. Eliminating larvae while they are still in water is crucial, as they cannot survive without it.
Baday noted that a single mosquito could lay 150 eggs per day and live for 30 to 45 days, potentially leading to the production of hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes. He also warned that dengue-carrying mosquitoes are most active during specific times and have the ability to bite multiple people, increasing the spread of infection. Unlike ordinary mosquitoes, dengue mosquitoes bite the ankles and can transfer to another person after the initial bite.
In conclusion, Baday urged for a unified approach against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures to combat this year-round threat.
