DOH on alert for tougher dengue-carrying mosquito

The Department of Health (DOH) is on alert for a new tougher breed of dengue-carrying mosquitoes that can breed even in dirty environments like septic tanks. National Epidemiology Center head Eric Tayag mosquitoes may have adapted to their environment, radio dzBB reported on Friday. He cited reports about "evolved" breeds of mosquitoes that lay their eggs even in polluted water in Peru. In the Philippines, he said they are not discounting the possibility that local mosquitoes may have also evolved and are now breeding even in areas without "clean" water. In the meantime, Tayag said the government will continue its education drive to have Filipinos keep their surroundings clean and dry to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Meanwhile, Tayag noted a drop in the number dengue cases as of October 2011. As of Oct. 22, the DOH recorded some 97,158 cases, considerably lower compared to 153,906 cases in the same period in 2010, he said. - VVP, GMA News