DOH, DOST sign pact to launch mosquito traps in drive vs dengue

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed on Thursday a memorandum of agreement for the nationwide roll-out of the egg-and-larva trap system that aims to reduce the number of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. At least 700,000 ovicidal/larvicidal (OL) trap kits, which the DOST will initially provide for free, will be given to 125,000 selected households nationwide, especially in areas with high dengue risks. The OL trap system is made up of three components:

• a black container (about the size of a drinking glass);
• a small strip of lawanit (a paneling material made from coconut husk) measuring 1 inch by 5 inches for mosquitoes to lay their eggs on; and
• a larvicidal solution (made up of water and DOST-developed pellets) to kill the mosquito larvae that will hatch in the strip of wood and in the solution.

The scent of the larvicidal solution lures the female mosquitoes to the trap, where they lay eggs on the stick and on the solution. The eggs and the hatched larvae will die when it gets in contact with the solution, thus preventing the next generation of mosquitoes from reaching adulthood and spreading the dengue virus. Initial tests of the OL trap showed that it can kill 450 to 490 out of 500 larvae placed in the trap, the DOST reported. Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona said the Health Department is taking a proactive approach in addressing the increasing number of dengue cases. Last year, the DOH saw the worst dengue outbreak in ten years, recording over 130,000 dengue cases nationwide. Ona said the distribution of the OL traps comes at the right time, especially after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that the coming months may become rainy. He said climate change, rapid urbanization, and international travel have made dengue the country's most disturbing health concern among re-emerging infectious diseases. He added that the Health Department launched its anti-dengue campaigns early this year because even other Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia seem to be experiencing their worst dengue epidemics as well. The World Health Organization has already warned the Philippines and other western Pacific countries that another dengue crisis looms and that urgent measures need to effectively be put in place. Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said the OL trap kit is very affordable at P12 each. He added that the pellets are organic and non-toxic, and are made from resources local resources. He also said the the official launch of the OL traps is a "vote of confidence" for Philippine scientists, especially those who developed the pellets used in the OL trap kits. According to him, the OL trap is proof that a solution to the country's problem can be developed in our own backyard using available resources. — LBG/RSJ, GMA News