MOSQUITO FISH. Dagupan City mayor Marc Brian Lim (second from left) and Dr. Westly Rosario (third from left), and members of the Manlingkor Ya Kalangweran, disperse mosquito fish in Barangay Pogo Grande, Dagupan City on Thursday (Aug. 15, 2019). The ongoing dispersion is part of the city's anti-dengue drive. (Photo by Liwayway Manantan Yparraguirre)
DAGUPAN CITY -- Some 6,000 mosquito fish stocks have been released in the stagnant waters of Barangay Pogo Grande here as part of the city’s dengue prevention measures.
Dr. Westly Rosario, director of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (NIFTDC-BFAR), said the mosquito fish stocks are propagated and distributed by the center.
"Mosquito fish is classified as larvivorous fish. It thrives even in hospitable areas like shallow waters, fresh water, brackish water or even in areas that have doubled salinity,” Rosario explained in an interview Thursday.
He said it was first introduced in the Philippines in 1905. It was again instituted during World War II in more than 30 countries to prevent malaria.
Rosario further said they started stocking in 2012 and yearly, they disperse mosquito fish stocks at canals near schools.
They also had started shipping out to other provinces like Antique, and received orders from Zamboanga.
School officials and Parent Teachers Association officers of the Dagupan City National High School, together with the Lions Club, last week dispersed stocks at canals and stagnant waters inside the campus. This was also done in schools at San Fabian, Mangaldan, and Sta. Barbara.
The dispersion was headed by city mayor Marc Brian Lim and the 60 Manlingkor Ya Kalangweran (MYK), or young servant leaders, led by young city mayor Frenzy Mae De Vera and young vice mayor Sander Khen Mirador.
The MYKs were also encouraged to undertake dispersion of mosquito fish at their respective schools.
Five barangays here are under close watch of the city health office (CHO) as high concentration of suspected dengue victims are recorded.
City health officer Dr. Ophelia Rivera, in a recent interview, identified these barangays as Bonuan Gueset, Caranglaan, Calmay, Binloc, and Pantal.
Despite the low count of dengue victims in the city, the CHO does not let complacency get in the way.
“We must continue informing the public to clean their surroundings. Even if we have zero dengue cases in the city, we will not stop reminding all to continue cleaning,” she said.
Cleaning the environment should be everyone’s responsibility, she added.
From January to August 14 this year, the CHO recorded a total of 106 dengue cases in the city. This marked a 75-percent decrease compared to 2018 with 424 cases.
Rivera instructed barangay health workers to continuously inspect different areas in their respective barangays, and identify possible breeding places of mosquitoes.
At present, the CHO continuously goes to schools in the city and conducts fogging operations.
Rivera also urged the public to follow the 4s dengue advisory –Search and destroy, Self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Say yes to indiscriminate fogging when there is an impending outbreak.
“We will continue going to barangays and conduct information drive on dengue prevention,” she said.
The CHO also cautioned the public to take measures in protecting themselves against dengue.
“Make it a habit to wear long sleeves and pants when going outside. Do not forget to apply mosquito repellent,” she added. (PNA)
