Residents of a central Manila neighborhood stood on Wednesday, as nationwide spikes in dengue cases, to collect a bounty – a peso, dead or alive for every five mosquitoes.
In addition, the village captain Carlito Renal in the hills said that the project to increase awareness on the spread of tropical disease when combined with local cleaning efforts could have a “major impact” of the project.
The Philippine health officials and experts who talked to AFP had less convinced, but the enthusiasm was more among the inhabitants who took pel, cups and other containers filled with dengue-fired mosquitoes, who had cash in the village hall Were to exchange.
Illuminado Candasua brought three live samples to a seal plastic cup, which was duly counted and transferred to their so-called Death Chamber, a glass-enclosed UV light machine by village officials.
“It is very difficult to catch mosquitoes,” Candasua told AFP, explaining how he strategically chose a dark -burnt fire station, where he manually implicate the insects against a wall. Used a cup for.
Candasua stated that the peso that he got for his efforts is slightly higher than an American Penny, he will go to a piggy bank that he is using to save a cellphone for his child.
The World Health Organization ranked the Philippines as the most affected country in the Western Pacific region in 2023, when it led to 167,355 cases and 575 deaths.
Tropical disease, while rarely carries symptoms ranging from fatal, fever and headache to inflamed glands.
‘Unusual growth’
Health Department spokesperson Dr. According to Albert Domingo, the country has seen “unusual growth” in this year’s cases, with 28,200 patients recorded till 1 February, which has increased by 40 percent from the same period last year.
Five cities and municipalities have announced outbreak.
Domingo told AFP on Wednesday that it was important that the local community consults with health officials before starting ad hoc efforts, saying that the problem was best addressed by “returning to fundamental”.
He said, “As soon as we clean our surroundings and turn to any possible areas where stable water is collecting, we will fight a better against dengue,” he said, insect disturbances from residents and long Urged the sleeve to save himself.
Public health expert Anthony Leachon told AFP that when he welcomed all anti -dengue initiatives, besides the hills roundup would “have little or no effect”.
Some residents, they warned, can even increase the problem by cultivating mosquitoes for coins.
While Rachel Estoch did not deliberately breed the mosquitoes, what he turned on Wednesday came from a stable water source in his house.
The 45 -year -old housewife told AFP that she woke up early to catch the mosquito larvae growing in water in her flower vessel. 20 larvae earned four pesos, which is enough for a small packet of cooking oil.
But others are waiting to trade in their catch like others, Estoque said that money was less important than the principle.
“My child was first suffering from dengue and I know how scary and difficult it is … that’s why I am participating in this project,” she said.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
