DOH: Avoid wearing black, dark blue clothes to avoid dengue

MANILA, Philippines - Mosquitoes apparently have color preferences. With “dengue season" now here, health officials advised the public Tuesday to refrain from wearing black or dark blue clothes to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said mosquitoes are attracted to dark blue and black, and advised students wearing uniforms with those shades to be extra careful. “That’s why we must make sure we search and destroy their breeding places," Duque said in an interview on dzXL radio. Amid the public alarm about A(H1N1), which hasn't killed anyone in the Philippines yet, Duque has been reminding the public that the annual season of the notorious killer disease dengue has begun. Duque reiterated his advice for the public to make an effort ito keep their surroundings dry and clean, to prevent dengue-spreading mosquitoes from breeding. He also said people suffering from fever or body pains should go to a hospital for a checkup right away. “Medical emergency ang dengue, nakamamatay ito. Sa isang kagat lang baka ka matepok [Dengue is a medical emergency and is potentially deadly. You could die from one mosquito bite]," he said. - GMANews.TV