DOH: Continue drive vs dengue amid promise of 'genetic' remedy

Saying the touted potentials of genetic manipulation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes may not be realized for quite some time, health authorities reminded the public Wednesday to continue taking precautions for now. National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said that while there is still no concrete result from genetic manipulation, the present anti-dengue precautions must be sustained. "Ang problema kasi sa ating pakikipaglaban sa dengue, kailangan ay tuluy-tuloy ang ating ginagawang paghahanap sa pinamumugaran ng lamok. All year round yan, di pwede kung kailan tag-ulan saka tayo kikilos, kailangan isustena yan (The problem with the dengue menace is that we must always seek out dengue-carrying mosquitoes in their breeding areas. This is an all-year-round effort, not just during the rainy season. This is something that should be sustained)," Tayag said in an interview on dzXL radio. Tayag issued the advice amid the prospect of genetic manipulation of mosquitoes as a solution against the killer disease dengue. Earlier reports indicated the Department of Science and Technology is studying the practicality of genetic engineering to keep mosquitoes from spreading dengue. Citing reports reaching him, Tayag said such genetic manipulations may involve making the mosquitoes sterile. "Inaalam din ang epekto nito kasi kahit lamok yan may ambag din yan sa ating kalikasan (But these possibilities are still being studied because even mosquitoes have a role to play in our ecosystem)," he said. Action vs fever For the moment, he said the public should take action immediately when they experience fever, instead of letting it pass. He said many of the 429 dengue-related deaths recorded so far this year stemmed from patients who let their fever pass without realizing they had dengue. "Ang nangyayari, ang namatay pinagaaralan natin, marami sa kababayan natin binabalewala ang pagkalagnat. Iba sa kababayan natin pag may lagnat tingin natin parang pilay lang, pinahihilot, di nila alam senyales yan ng dengue (Many of the deaths turned out to be patients who ignored their fever thinking it will go away, and not realizing they already had dengue)," he said. He said dengue patients should also take Oresol to prevent dehydration. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV