A dengue outbreak gripping the Philippines has prompted one Manila neighborhood to adopt an unconventional weapon: paying residents to hunt mosquitos. Addition Hills village now offers 1 peso (1 cent) for every five mosquitos or larvae surrendered to authorities amid rising infections nationwide.
Health officials report 28,234 dengue cases nationwide as of February 1 – a 40% year-over-year spike. Nearby Quezon City declared a health emergency after 10 deaths linked to the virus. Mosquito bounty programs like Addition Hills’ strategy aim to disrupt transmission cycles by incentivizing grassroots pest control.
There was an alarm,said village leader Carlito Cernal. I found a way.
Over 100,000 residents participate in clean-up drives and canal maintenance, but 42 local dengue cases and two child fatalities drove Cernal to escalate tactics. Critics warn the plan might inadvertently encourage mosquito breeding for profit. Cernal counters that rewards will stop once infections decline.
Early participants like scavenger Miguel Labag highlight the program’s immediate impact. His catch of 45 larvae earned nine pesos – enough for coffee. This is a big help,he told AP reporters.
Dengue symptoms demand urgent attention:
- Severe joint pain and rashes
- Vomiting and breathing difficulties
- Organ failure in critical cases
Quezon City officials contemplate deploying mosquito-eating frogs alongside traditional methods. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasizes prevention:
Eliminating breeding sites remains our strongest defense. Early medical intervention saves lives.
Unseasonal rains linked to climate change created stagnant water pockets where mosquito bounty programs target larvae. While mortality rates stay low nationally, the dengue outbreak’s early arrival signals potential雨季 escalation. Health Undersecretary Alberto Domingo warns erratic weather could prolong transmission risks.
