AS FORMALLY announced by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration yesterday, the rainy season has officially started. To prevent a spike in dengue cases, communities are reminded to safely manage their discards that could harbor dengue vectors – the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Barangays across the country should enforce preventive measures to ward off dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease. As frontliners against COVID-19 and other diseases, our barangay officials and volunteers will have a key role to play in managing the environmental factors that can lead to dengue outbreaks.
Concerted “search and destroy” activities will be needed to deprive Aedes mosquitoes with breeding spots during the rainy days. Anything that can hold water such as recklessly thrown glass and plastic bottles, tin cans, plastic bags, bottle caps, and snack packs can serve as a breeding ground for dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Toward a dengue-free environment, environmental health advocates encourage communities, particularly households, to practice preventive measures such as observe proper waste management.
But how?
Keep recyclables dry and clean. Stop littering that can block storm drains and disrupt flow of water. Don’t let water go stagnant. Instead, dispose of, turn over or put in storage any container that may accumulate rain water.
Cover water buckets, drums, and tanks with lids or mosquito-proof mesh. Empty and clean water containers thoroughly once a week. Change water in flower vases weekly.
Clean plant pots that may harbor mosquitoes. Drain water from plates under potted plants weekly. Clear clogged gutters of leaves and other debris. Cut or puncture tires used as roof support to avoid collecting water.
Also, why not grow natural insect repellents such as basil, citronella grass, garlic, lemongrass, oregano or peppermint.
These are all simple, practical and doable things. If households, offices and establishments all over the country practice these, the chances of having a dengue outbreak would be nil.
