DOH probing mosquito upsurge

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities are investigating reports about the sudden increase in mosquito density in Gagalangin, Tondo in Manila as well as in some villages in Pasig City, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

As this developed, DOH Undersecretary Ted Herbosa allayed fears of a possible increase in dengue and chikungunya cases, as mosquitoes reportedly proliferating in these areas are not aedes aegypti, but culex.

“Culex are ordinary mosquitoes and they just bite. But who knows? There may also be aedes aegypti among them so we should not be complacent,” he said.

Herbosa said the DOH-National Capital Region recorded sporadic reports on increase in mosquito population in these areas, as he noted that it is premature to assume there is an abnormal increase in mosquitoes.

“We are now investigating that and we have also sent experts to control and protect the people,” he added.

Experts have been doing fumigation, spraying insecticide and applying larvaecide in mosquito breeding sites in affected areas.

Herbosa said the increase in the population of mosquitoes is normal when weather is shifting from cold to warm. He urged the public to eliminate any possible breeding sites of mosquitoes.

He cited an abandoned construction site in Gagalangin where standing water teeming with mosquito larvae was found.

“It is the responsibility of the people to clean their surroundings. That construction site should never have been left like that,” he said.

In his Twitter account, DOH assistant secretary Eric Tayag posted: “Culex mosquitoes bite mostly at night.”

Tayag said an experiment shows that culex that feed on chicken blood laid more eggs and a swarm of mosquitoes indicates dirty communities.

“Culex thrive in dirty stagnant water,” he said.

The health official said soap and water, nail polish, toothpaste, honey, finger press and medicated cream can ease the pain caused by mosquito bites.

He recommended wearing long sleeves and pants and sleeping under bed nets to avoid mosquito bites.