Residents of Manila in the Philippines, where the number of cases of dengue increases, line up on Wednesday to collect a bonus: a peso for five mosquitoes, dead or living.
One of them, Iluminado Candasua, brought three living specimens to a hermetically closed plastic cup.
“It is very difficult to capture mosquitoes”he told AFP, explaining that he had strategically chosen to trap the insects a fire station.
Mr. Candasua indicated that the peso he received as a reward for his efforts, of a value barely greater than an American penny, would go to a piggy bank that he uses to save for the purchase of a mobile phone for her child.
The project was launched by Carlito Cernal, chief of the Hills village (east of the capital).
A man checks the presence of mosquitoes in a colander given by a resident as part of the local dengue eradication program in Manila, February 19, 2025 / Ted Aljibe / AFP
He believes that his idea can have a “Huge impact” On the slowdown in dengue, even if the health authorities and experts interviewed by AFP remain doubtful.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the Philippines as the country most affected by dengue in the Western Pacific region in 2023, with 167,355 cases and 575 deaths identified.
This tropical disease, although rarely fatal, manifests itself by symptoms ranging from fever and headache to swelling of the nodes.
And the archipel the comni “Unusual increase” In the number of cases this year, with 28,200 patients recorded on February 1, according to the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Albert Domingo, an increase of 40% compared to the same period last year.
Five cities and municipalities have to date declared homes.
“Return to basics”
On Wednesday, Dr. Domingo told AFP that it was important that local communities consult the health authorities before launching ad hoc shares, adding that the best way to deal with the problem was “Return to basics”.
“The sooner we will cleanse our environment and all the areas where stagnant water accumulates, the better we can fight against dengue”he said, urging residents to protect themselves with insectuges and long sleeves.
Carlito Cernal (in Turquoise T-shirt), chief of the Hills village, east of Manila in Phillipines, accompanied by social workers on February 19, 2025 / Ted Aljibe / AFP
Anthony Leachon, expert in public health, told AFP that he greeted all the initiatives to fight dengue, but that the local Hills addition campaign would not have “Whether little or no impact at all”.
Some residents, he warned, could even exacerbate the problem by raising mosquitoes to earn money.
Rachel Estoque, a 45 -year -old housewife, told AFP that she got up early to catch mosquito larvae that developed in the water of her flower pot.
The 20 larvae brought him four pesos, the equivalent of a very small bottle of kitchen oil.
But like other people waiting to be able to exchange their catches, Ms. Estoque said that money was less important than the principle at stake.
“I know how scary and difficult is”she said, explaining that her child has already contracted dengue.
“This is why I participate in this initiative”she says.
(tagstotranslate) Philippines